Two weeks ago, James Sire addressed a question from me about learning from artists and writers who have a different world view than my own. In his response, he mentioned Alan Jacobs's A Theology of Reading, which I have been reading and blogging through lately. I'd like to expand a bit on Jim's reference to Jacobs's book with a few examples of charitable reading. Throughout the book, Jacobs offers “interludes,” which are essentially case studies of different styles and methods of reading. “Interlude D: Two Charitable … [Read more...] about Reading Pagans (and Christians) with Charity
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Insights from works by people from other worldviews?
James W. Sire addresses another excellent question from Micheal Hickerson, ESN Blog Contributor: Should Christians worry if they find themselves enjoying or gaining insight from artistic, literary or academic works by people from other worldviews? I know that this has been a question within the Christian world from the ancients to the present. Didn't Tertullian (c. 160-230) ask, “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” But, though I was brought up in a modestly fundamentalist community, the question has always … [Read more...] about Insights from works by people from other worldviews?
Are There Any Books That You Revere?
In my continued reading of Alan Jacobs' A Theology of Reading, I've come to his chapter “Kenosis.” He addresses the question of whether someone can love a text in the same self-giving way that one can —even ought to —love another person. Kenosis is the Greek word used in Philippians 2:7 to describe the “self-emptying” movement of Christ in his Incarnation: [Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the … [Read more...] about Are There Any Books That You Revere?
Is Your Academic Work Governed by the Law of Love?
Last month, I had dinner with Tom and the rest of the Faculty Ministry Leadership Team in Columbus, Ohio. At Graeter's (the best ice cream in the world!), they surprised with several gifts to thank me for my time as Associate Director of ESN. Among these were several books, including Alan Jacobs' A Theology of Reading: The Hermeneutics of Love. Jacobs, an English professor at Wheaton College and author of some very good books, raises an interesting question in A Theology of Reading. Jesus, among many others, … [Read more...] about Is Your Academic Work Governed by the Law of Love?
How often do you read on a whim?
Today one can take advantage of a free download of Alan Jacobs' "How to Read a Book," a chapter in Liberal Arts For the Christian Life (Edited by Jeffry C. Davis & Philip G. Ryken. Crossway. 2012). Below's the conclusion from which I raise the question, "How often do you read on a whim?" As I draw this essay to a close, let me turn to a matter that, in my mind, is very important indeed —but not nearly as solemn as what we've been talking about over the past few pages. Recalling Auden's warning that masterpieces of … [Read more...] about How often do you read on a whim?