Since everyone else in the friggin blogosphere is posting lists of things they’re hoping to read this summer, here’s mine. I tried not to get too carried away. If I can do this, I will have done plenty:
- Karl Barth, Church Dogmatics—Keep/get back on track with my reading plan (I’m about three weeks behind right now, for those who have been wondering)
- John Howard Yoder
- Read the new edition of Christian Attitudes to War, Peace, and Revolution
- Finally read Preface to Theology all the way through
- Same for The Jewish-Christian Schism Revisited
- Warren Carter—Some great New Testament stuff I’ve been meaning to get to, especially on the gospel of John as a counter-imperial document
- John and Empire
- John: Storyteller, Interpreter, Evangelist
- The Roman Empire and the New Testament
- Articles to Write
- Something for PTR on J. Kameron Carter’s book on race, possibly dealing with his use of analogy
- An entry for this year’s Colin Gunton Memorial essay contest on whether or not ecumenical theology has a future (I am planning on giving a clear answer to the question)
Not the new Dan Brown?!?
Personally, I hope to read a lot of fiction and Wendell Berry essays.
Whatever happened to that Bonhoeffer Blog conference? Did that ever happen?
Its still in the works but has been lamentably delayed. Predominately by me.
You should make that happen at some point.
Need more contributors. You in?
Perhaps-is there a particular topic?
Something related to Ethics. Anything in that range is fine.
Have you ruled out the “Left Behind” series for your list?
Some real meaty apocalyptic stuff in here, I’ve heard.
Don’t forget Purpose Driven Life. ;)
and in case you missed it
The Prayer of Jabez. (How’s it working for you?)
You should add “Watchmen,” if you haven’t read it yet.
I totally have. And its the awesomest.
How about The Surrogates?
OK, if you don’t mind me just extracting a chunk of my thesis.
As long as your thesis doesn’t suck!
Perhaps I’ve had the wrong impression about this venue. I thought “sucking” was pretty much the basic criterion around here!
Oh you Minnesotans and your comebacks…
You know, I still consider YOU a Minnesotan–of the very particular South St. Paul variety.
I’m pretty pure Portland, I’m afraid. Nevertheless, I thank you.
Actually, if I recall correctly, Warren Carter started off with counter-imperial readings of Matthew (cf. ‘Matthew and Empire’ and ‘Matthew and the Marginalized’) and only came to John more recently. Regardless, all of his stuff is exceptional and I consider him to be one of the best and most exciting NT scholars writing today.
Sounds like an good idea, Halden! You’ve inspired me to put together my own “Summer” reading list . . . I’m looking for some feedback on a few things (which I think some of you all might be able to help me on). So if you have the chance click on over and give me some help . . .
Kim said:
Just remember, guys, that one question the good Lord will not be asking you on Judgement Day is: “Did you finish all the books on your reading list?” ;)
I’ve started the Dogmatics twice in my life, this will represent my 3rd start; I’m glad the Lord is the Lord of 2nd and 3rd and so on, chances :-).
Just remember, guys, that one question the good Lord will not be asking you on Judgement Day is: “Did you finish all the books on your reading list?” ;)
In fact, the best reading list is one that is intrinsically unfinishable: it acts as a memento mori.
Btw, I keep my book “in-tray” in three or four stacks beneath my desk. I intend to buy Milbank’s next offering and place it at the bottom of the last stack – and, perennially piling new Amazon deliveries on top, keep it there. And I will smile every time I look at it, experiencing a deep peace, knowing that it will never be read, world without end, amen.
In Lent I grab books from the bottom of the stack.