Religion & Spirituality

Apr 30 2011

In the Mail: Divinity of Doubt

Divinity of Doubt: The God Question

Library Journal

Distinguished attorney and true crime author Bugliosi (Helter Skelter; Outrage: The Five Reasons Why O.J. Simpson Got Away with Murder) here takes on the subject of God’s existence, making the case for agnosticism. Anyone expecting a gentle and centrist approach may be surprised by the ruthlessness of Bugliosi’s scathing attack on both theism and atheism (although he focuses most of his attention on Christianity). Although the book makes quite a number of arguments (e.g., since death is so awful, how can a kind God exist?), they are unfortunately muted by a frequently superficial and sometimes inaccurate understanding of his opponents’ views on matters from natural selection to resurrection, all of which significantly dilutes the potency of what could have been a stronger book if better researched. Given the author’s background as a seasoned and renowned prosecutor, this major shortcoming is surprising. VERDICT Considering that this book is a systematic attack on the belief or unbelief systems of so many, his readership is unclear. One can only hope for a revised edition that unearths any gems latent within this flawed manuscript.

 

By Kevin Holtsberry • In The Mail • 0 • Tags: , , ,

May 3 2010

A Year with God by Richard Foster (Julia L. Roller, ed.)

I have long been a fan of Richard Foster starting back with the classic Celebration of Discipline (now a 25th anniversary edition) and the aptly named Devotional Classics. But I will admit that, despite collecting a number of his other books and the The Renovare Spiritual Formation Bible, I haven’t read as much of his work as I would like. 

So when I saw that he had come out with a daily reading orientated work, A Year with God: Living Out the Spiritual Disciplines, I knew I should check it out.  I am glad I did as it turned out to be just what I needed: a short but insightful and inspirational daily reading.

Here is the publishers description:

Many people are longing to find the footprint of God in their daily lives. This beautiful daily companion is comprised of 365 selections of scripture, commentary, meditations, and daily exercises to help readers see how they can bring their entire life into a life with Immanuel – a God who is with his people. In Richard Foster’s best-selling book, Celebration of Discipline, he explored the “classic disciplines,” or central spiritual practices of the Christian faith. Foster showed that it is only by and through these practices that the true path to spiritual growth can be found.

In A Year with God, the spiritual disciplines are presented in such a way that does not destroy the soul but enables the reader to enter into a transforming life with God. Through daily spiritual exercises and meditations, A Year with God explores eighteen spiritual disciplines. The inward disciplines of meditation, prayer, fasting, and study offer avenues of personal examination and change. The outward disciplines of simplicity, solitude, submission, and service help prepare one to make the world a better place. The corporate disciplines of confession, worship, guidance, and celebration bring one nearer to others and to God. Each discipline will be given twenty days of readings, beginning with scripture and followed by commentary, a meditation, and a spiritual exercise. Practicing these spiritual disciplines will help readers live intentionally, contributing to a more balanced spiritual life and a reformation of the inner self.

For more of my thoughts, see below.

Keep Reading

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 0 • Tags: , , , , ,

Apr 19 2010

The Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos

I found out about Imaginary Jesus from the Tyndale Blog Network.  I received my free copy and promptly read the book. But I only manged to post anything to Goodreads. So I wanted to rectify that and offer my take on this book in this space in a more formal way (at least slightly).

Here is the basic plot (cribbed from the publisher’s blurb):

When Matt Mikalatos realizes that his longtime buddy in the robe and sandals isn’t the real Jesus at all, but an imaginary one, he embarks on a mission to find the real thing. On his wild ride through time, space, and Portland, Oregon, he encounters hundreds of other Imaginary Jesuses determined to stand in his way (like Legalistic Jesus, Perpetually Angry Jesus, and Magic 8 Ball Jesus). But Matt won’t stop until he finds the real Jesus—and finally gets an answer to the question that’s haunted him for years.

As you might be able to tell even from this short synopsis, the book walks the fine line between slapstick comedy and insightful spiritual commentary – and in my opinion manages to pull it off for the most part.

Mikalatos has a lot of fun with his spiritually themed romp but the issue of how Christians create imaginary Saviors in order to avoid dealing with the real Jesus is worth exploring. The author touches on some rather profound and emotional issues but never gets too heavy or loses the rhythm of his largely comic story.

I don’t think Mikalatos offers any startling insights or deep perspectives. Instead he simply creates – based in part on his own experiences – humorous and thought provoking examples of how we try to pigeon hole or caricature Jesus.

Imaginary Jesus is a quick and chuckle inducing read but one with a valuable lesson at its core.

By Kevin Holtsberry • Reviews • 1 • Tags: , , ,