Reading Update

(9) The Hobbit - J.R.R Tolkien

Oh Bilbo Baggins! What is not to like about this tale of an peculiarly adventurous Hobbit's trip into peril, riches, and friendship?  I hadn't been through this book since my dad read it to my brother and me when we were just wee little lads and I'm quite glad that I decided to revisit it.  If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this one, grab it and dive into the world of Middle Earth with our hero Bilbo and his dwarf companions as they embark on one fantastic adventure!

Reading Update

(5) Easy Chairs, Hard Words: Conversations on the Liberty of God - Douglas Wilson

In this short and very readable book, Wilson answers some of the big questions surrounding the exhaustive sovereignty of God.  Wilson writes the book as a fictional dialogue between a young man who is struggling with some things he is reading in his Bible that seem to contradict the theology he has been taught while growing up in what can only be described as a thoroughly Arminian-leaning church and a man from across town who pastors the church known pejoratively as the Calvinist church.  The young man returns week after week seeking the counsel of the pastor on things like faith, election, perseverance, sovereignty, theodicy, and even the use of systematic theology.  

I found the book very easy to read, saturated with Scripture, and to the point.  I have been looking for a good overview/defense of the doctrines of grace and I think I've found it here.  Those who have studied these issues at length may not find a wealth of new material, but they will find the presentation refreshing.  And those who have only heard mischaracterizations of the doctrines will gain a fresh understanding.

Reading Update

(4) God of Promise: An Introduction to Covenant Theology - Michael Horton

It was not an easy read by any stretch of the imagination, but the struggle was well worth the time and effort.  Melanie and have been working through this one together and I think that we both benefited greatly from it.  

It is, as the title suggests, an introduction to covenant theology.  Horton starts by showing the history of covenants in the Near East and then works out a biblical understanding of covenant.  Melanie and I both found the final chapters, which were chapters that showed the practical outworking of a covenantal biblical worldview to be especially helpful.  In those final chapters Horton helps the reader to better understand baptism, the Lord's Supper, and the purpose and use of the Law.  The book is recommended. 

Reading Update

(3) Economics in One Lesson  - Henry Hazlitt

I took an economics class in high school, but I doubt I was paying much attention and that was quite some time ago.  So I decided to read something on economics and this book was recommended.  The book's thesis is summed up in the first chapter when Hazlitt explains that, "The whole of economics can be reduced to a single lesson . . . The art of economics consists in looking not merely at the immediate but at the longer effects of any act or policy; it consists in tracing the consequences of that policy not merely for one group but for all groups."

This is the message that Hazlitt sets out to prove true in his book.  Hazlitt is certainly a free-market economist.  He is opposed to nearly all government intervention into economic affairs and frowns on things like minimum wages, subsidies, and social security.  His argumentation is sound and convincing and his writing is easy to read.  He takes a look at many practical areas of economics and shows how the failure to heed his one stated lesson has caused much damage.

The book is a good introduction to economics and certainly gets one thinking about the potential long-term effects of certain government policies currently under consideration.

Reading Update

(2) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling

Well I just finished the final installment in the Harry Potter series. A fitting finish to a great series I would say. I have respect for any author who writes children's books and uses words like, "mollify," "incredulity," and "gormless." I've added mollify to my regular usage. It just rolls so nicely off the tongue!

Book Update

As mentioned in a previous post, I am attempting to read a book every other week this year for a total of twenty-six books.  I plan on a good mix of fiction and nonfiction.  The year starts with some of the former.

(1) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Amazingly enough, I was so disinterested in the Harry Potter hype that I accidentally avoided any spoilers for the series, and I'm glad I did!  The series has been excellent and this book was no exception.  I love a book that keeps the reader saying to himself, "Just one more chapter before bed."  This is one of those.  

A Goal (I Don't Do Resolutions)

It has been awhile since I've posted anything here.  I guess that is mostly due to laziness as I do think about something I want to write from time to time, yet never seem to get it put on the blog.  Anyway, I am not posting to tell you of some fantastic goal I have to write more blog posts this year so I'm already off track.  So back to it!

I am actually writing to tell you about a reading goal I have for the year.  Last year was a down year for me as far as reading went.  I only read a handful of books though I was always thinking I should be reading more.  So this year I am setting out to read one book every other week.  That means with 52 weeks in the year, I'll be shooting for 26 books read by year's end.  I plan on posting the title and author of each book I read along with a very brief summary and my opinion on whether or not it was a good book and if I would recommend it.  I'm into my first book now and you should be hearing back from me within a couple of weeks.