Re: Currently reading?

by Theonymic Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:34 pm

Pethead wrote:Michael Crichton: Congo

Oh man, that brings me back to high school! Hope you like it.

by Pethead Fri Jul 08, 2022 5:55 pm

Theonymic wrote:
Pethead wrote:Michael Crichton: Congo
Oh man, that brings me back to high school! Hope you like it.

It was good! I think Sphere remains my favorite of his, though.

by Pethead Sun Jul 10, 2022 9:07 pm

Devour by Kurt Anderson

by alldatndensum Wed Jul 13, 2022 1:34 pm

Stop Chasing Happy - Phil Waldrep

by Pethead Thu Jul 21, 2022 11:31 am

Gavin Ortlund: Finding the Right Hills to Die on: The Case for Theological Triage

by Grindboy Thu Jul 21, 2022 1:07 pm

Pethead wrote:Gavin Ortlund: Finding the Right Hills to Die on: The Case for Theological Triage

Sounds interesting. I don't know the author at all but in general this seems like the kind of thing that isn't thought through enough.

by Sevenoneself Thu Jul 21, 2022 1:26 pm

Pethead wrote:Gavin Ortlund: Finding the Right Hills to Die on: The Case for Theological Triage

Sounds like one I might like to read. Does he basically expand on Al Mohler's thoughts, or does he have new insights to bring to the topic?

by Pethead Thu Jul 21, 2022 1:35 pm

Sevenoneself wrote:
Pethead wrote:Gavin Ortlund: Finding the Right Hills to Die on: The Case for Theological Triage

Sounds like one I might like to read. Does he basically expand on Al Mohler's thoughts, or does he have new insights to bring to the topic?

He takes Mohler’s scheme and fleshes it out and gives real life examples.

by Sevenoneself Thu Jul 21, 2022 1:42 pm

Pethead wrote:
Sevenoneself wrote:
Pethead wrote:Gavin Ortlund: Finding the Right Hills to Die on: The Case for Theological Triage

Sounds like one I might like to read. Does he basically expand on Al Mohler's thoughts, or does he have new insights to bring to the topic?
He takes Mohler’s scheme and fleshes it out and gives real life examples.

Very, very interested. Gonna check it out.

by Dustofyears Thu Jul 21, 2022 8:21 pm

Red Rising series (again). I'll never stop reading it. On book 3- Morning Star. Highly recommend this series. It Follows a Lowborn boy named Darrow (of Lykos) who Exits as a miner in the subterranean mines of mars and digs fro the Helium 3 for the "Society" to live on the planets surface once it has been terraformed. Thing is, Humanity has been living in Luxury on it's surface for years, living off the backs of reds ( the lowborn color. Society is based on a color coded system- Red the lowest, Gold the Highest. An event triggers Darrow on a path of great sorrow and destruction- S#&t hits the fan.

Possibly a series will be made too.

If anyone's interested, here's the Reaper song from the book that will prob be used in the series should it happen. It's the forbidden song in the book (which will make sense if you read it). A song that triggers events to come for Darrow.
Forgot- The Author of this masterpiece of a series is Pierce Brown.

by Staybrite Thu Jul 21, 2022 8:51 pm

I didn't read that Pierce Brown "Red Rising" trilogy, but I listened to the full length audio books a few years back (spent two hours commuting to work each day for several years). Really good stuff, and well worth the read/listen. Plot-wise I remember it kind of reminded me a little of a more accessible version of Asimov's Foundation series. Well written with great relatable characters.

by Dustofyears Thu Jul 21, 2022 9:00 pm

Staybrite wrote:I didn't read that Pierce Brown "Red Rising" trilogy, but I listened to the full length audio books a few years back (spent two hours commuting to work each day for several years). Really good stuff, and well worth the read/listen. Plot-wise I remember it kind of reminded me a little of a more accessible version of Asimov's Foundation series. Well written with great relatable characters.

It was meant to be a triology, The Morning star being the last. And it would've made a great ending. But then comes the fourth book- Iron Gold. What's really interesting about this, is that the perspectives changes from Darrow's POV to multiple perspectives and how others view Darrow (who is now in a far different position than from where he began, along with Mustang- don't wont to give any spoilers away). It's kind of like the repercussions or butterfly effect of what Darrow's agenda has left in its wake and paints his character in a much different light, seeing it from those other characters points of views. Brown manages to twist things around back onto the main Character and drops the question- has the victim become what it was fighting- the monster. The books just get darker and darker too, and the humor diminishes somewhat the more it progresses. Dark Ages is a very bleak book.

The first book is kind of Like Hunger games on mars for adults and sets up everything nicely. Then the series becomes it's own thing from Golden Son onwards. The last installment is due out this year. Here's hoping the series is made soon. Thanks for sharing- love talking about Red Risiing.

Glad someone else here Knows of it. It deserves all the attention and credit it gets.

by Grindboy Fri Jul 22, 2022 11:13 am

Phillip Yancey "Where Is God when it Hurts?"

A little over half-way through, this is really pretty good. A couple years ago I read his "Disappointment with God" and it didn't do a lot for me, but talking about it with my father one day and he mentioned how much this one helped him, so I found it on a bargain rack and picked it up. IMO MUCH more helpful than Disappointment with God.

by Pethead Fri Jul 22, 2022 10:41 pm

Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? 4 Views (Zondervan Counterpoints Series)

by scottmitchell74 Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:27 am

The Dark Forest - Cixin Liu

2nd in a sci-fi trilogy.

by Sevenoneself Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:28 am

Pethead wrote:Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? 4 Views (Zondervan Counterpoints Series)

I love the Counterpoint books; they're long enough to explain the issues clearly without becoming so drawn-out that only a doctorate graduate could understand them... Wink

By the way, have you read The Joy of Calvinism by Forster? I have not and am wondering if it's worth the read. I have a good Calvinist friend who says it was very important in his journey into calvinism.

by Sevenoneself Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:30 am

Grindboy wrote:Phillip Yancey "Where Is God when it Hurts?"

A little over half-way through, this is really pretty good. A couple years ago I read his "Disappointment with God" and it didn't do a lot for me, but talking about it with my father one day and he mentioned how much this one helped him, so I found it on a bargain rack and picked it up. IMO MUCH more helpful than Disappointment with God.

I may have to give it a read. Although I admired the story/backdrop of "Disappointment...", I was disappointed (bad pun!) with what it offered to me as a grieving Christian.

I should add that I really do like Yancey, and believe EVERY fundamentalist-leaning Christian and EVERY spiritually-abused person should read "What's So Amazing About Grace?"

by Pethead Sat Jul 23, 2022 11:34 am

Sevenoneself wrote:
Pethead wrote:Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? 4 Views (Zondervan Counterpoints Series)

I love the Counterpoint books; they're long enough to explain the issues clearly without becoming so drawn-out that only a doctorate graduate could understand them...

By the way, have you read The Joy of Calvinism by Forster? I have not and am wondering if it's worth the read. I have a good Calvinist friend who says it was very important in his journey into calvinism.

I have not. I’ll look into it.

by Sevenoneself Sun Jul 24, 2022 10:19 am

The Truth About Us - Brant Hansen

by Raegoul Sun Jul 24, 2022 11:52 am

Just finished the Bible after 2.5 years of daily reading with my wife. She got saved in late 2016 but we started this project on Christmas of 2019. I had been reading it before alone but it was a blessing reading it with her. We are now starting over, after two months of Jeremy we felt like some epistles would do us good, so Galatians it is, then going chronologically through Paul‘s other letters.

by Sevenoneself Mon Jul 25, 2022 11:07 am

Raegoul wrote:Just finished the Bible after 2.5 years of daily reading with my wife. She got saved in late 2016 but we started this project on Christmas of 2019. I had been reading it before alone but it was a blessing reading it with her. We are now starting over, after two months of Jeremy we felt like some epistles would do us good, so Galatians it is, then going chronologically through Paul‘s other letters.

Currently reading? - Page 8 360_F_233380815_4ah3nJszftXDiCch6CwlmlAJdJSsRlSM

by Grindboy Tue Jul 26, 2022 10:51 am

Sevenoneself wrote:
Grindboy wrote:Phillip Yancey "Where Is God when it Hurts?"

A little over half-way through, this is really pretty good. A couple years ago I read his "Disappointment with God" and it didn't do a lot for me, but talking about it with my father one day and he mentioned how much this one helped him, so I found it on a bargain rack and picked it up. IMO MUCH more helpful than Disappointment with God.

I may have to give it a read. Although I admired the story/backdrop of "Disappointment...", I was disappointed (bad pun!) with what it offered to me as a grieving Christian.

I should add that I really do like Yancey, and believe EVERY fundamentalist-leaning Christian and EVERY spiritually-abused person should read "What's So Amazing About Grace?"

To be fair, I don't think there's really anything that can be given to somebody who's actively going through grief that will be all that helpful. Which is kind of addressed in "Where is God" actually. I haven't read "What's so Amazing," but have seen it plenty of times. I read "The Jesus You Never Knew" in college, wasn't too impressed, then read "Disappointment" and was disappointed, and was kind of giving up on him as an author who would connect with me, but as mentioned my dad mentioned "Where Is God," I saw it on a $3 rack, and have really thought it's been good. So. . . ?

by alldatndensum Thu Aug 04, 2022 1:22 pm

My Afflictions For His Glory - Daniel Ritchie

by Theonymic Thu Aug 04, 2022 3:21 pm

St. Symeon the New Theologian - Discourses
J.R.R./Christopher Tolkien - Morgoth's Ring

by Sevenoneself Thu Aug 04, 2022 8:58 pm

by Sevenoneself Thu Aug 04, 2022 9:00 pm

In Defense of Calvinism - Spurgeon

by Pethead Thu Aug 04, 2022 9:10 pm

Sevenoneself wrote:In Defense of Calvinism - Spurgeon

Did you feel the urge…the urge to Spurge?

by Sevenoneself Thu Aug 04, 2022 9:30 pm

Pethead wrote:
Sevenoneself wrote:In Defense of Calvinism - Spurgeon
Did you feel the urge…the urge to Spurge?

Haha!

I met a friend who is a very friendly Calvinist and who is willing to discuss this a bit. He recommended reading this. So far...not impressed, but I want to give the book the best try I can.

by Sevenoneself Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:06 pm

^^ Have you picked this up yet?

by Pethead Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:07 pm

Sevenoneself wrote:^^ Have you picked this up yet?

I haven’t. I’m curious as to its differences from Whosoever Will that came out about 10 or so years ago.

by Sevenoneself Thu Aug 04, 2022 10:29 pm

Pethead wrote:
Sevenoneself wrote:^^ Have you picked this up yet?
I haven’t. I’m curious as to its differences from Whosoever Will that came out about 10 or so years ago.

They discuss it on this podcast. I think the main difference is that they included non-SB authors. But there might be a few others.

by Kerrick Fri Aug 05, 2022 12:48 pm

Pethead wrote:
Sevenoneself wrote:In Defense of Calvinism - Spurgeon
Did you feel the urge…the urge to Spurge?

LOL.

Sevenoneself wrote:...who is a very friendly Calvinist...

A friendly member of the Frozen Chosen??? Unheard of! Razz

Haha but on a serious note, I'll be curious what you think. I haven't read that book, but having grown up in a non-denom Arminian church and home, and only coming to the Reformed understanding much later in life, at least in my experience I've found it it to be more consistent with Scripture. Additionally, my awe, reverence, love, and [proper] fear of God has increased greatly. And having always been "a pretty good kid" it was easy to think that I "deserved" salvation from having made good decisions (to "accept Jesus into my heart," etc.) but the Reformed understanding squashed my pride in that regard and has elevated greatly my views of God's awesome grace and mercy: that He'd choose save even me!

Sorry for the rambling, I don't mean to hijack the thread. Carry on gents.

by Sevenoneself Fri Aug 05, 2022 7:53 pm

Kerrick wrote:
Pethead wrote:
Sevenoneself wrote:In Defense of Calvinism - Spurgeon
Did you feel the urge…the urge to Spurge?

LOL.

Sevenoneself wrote:...who is a very friendly Calvinist...

A friendly member of the Frozen Chosen??? Unheard of! Haha but on a serious note, I'll be curious what you think. I haven't read that book, but having grown up in a non-denom Arminian church and home, and only coming to the Reformed understanding much later in life, at least in my experience I've found it it to be more consistent with Scripture. Additionally, my awe, reverence, love, and [proper] fear of God has increased greatly. And having always been "a pretty good kid" it was easy to think that I "deserved" salvation from having made good decisions (to "accept Jesus into my heart," etc.) but the Reformed understanding squashed my pride in that regard and has elevated greatly my views of God's awesome grace and mercy: that He'd choose save even me!

Sorry for the rambling, I don't mean to hijack the thread. Carry on gents.

Thanks for sharing that, Kerrick. If time and energy permits, I would LOVE to discuss this more with you in a PM or even on the forum. I want to become friends with more Christians of backgrounds and theologies that are different from me, and understand where they're coming from. After all I've gone through in my life with church, from a fairly fundamentalist background to Evangelical Free and, in the last 5 years, an attempted Calvinist/Fundamentalist coup of our church, I am on a crusade to be united with as many believers as possible. I would love to be a part of a mov't that demonstrates that orthodox believers can unite around 1st level doctrines, and not just around level 2 ones.

My library copy of "Finding The Right Hills to Die On" just arrived today, so I'll be reading through that. I believe the Triage Principle is quite ingenious in helping Christians understand conflicts and how to work through them, and I'm excited to get Ortlund's thoughts and research on it.

Sorry for the rambling, carry on gents!

by Pethead Fri Aug 05, 2022 10:04 pm

Kerrick wrote:
Pethead wrote:
Sevenoneself wrote:In Defense of Calvinism - Spurgeon
Did you feel the urge…the urge to Spurge?

LOL.

Sevenoneself wrote:...who is a very friendly Calvinist...

A friendly member of the Frozen Chosen??? Unheard of! Haha but on a serious note, I'll be curious what you think. I haven't read that book, but having grown up in a non-denom Arminian church and home, and only coming to the Reformed understanding much later in life, at least in my experience I've found it it to be more consistent with Scripture. Additionally, my awe, reverence, love, and [proper] fear of God has increased greatly. And having always been "a pretty good kid" it was easy to think that I "deserved" salvation from having made good decisions (to "accept Jesus into my heart," etc.) but the Reformed understanding squashed my pride in that regard and has elevated greatly my views of God's awesome grace and mercy: that He'd choose save even me!

Sorry for the rambling, I don't mean to hijack the thread. Carry on gents.

That’s how reformed theology should affect someone, even if it’s (sadly) not always the case. (Not that arrogance is unique to reformed theology!) My favorite reformed teachers have tended to be humble guys.

by Pethead Tue Aug 09, 2022 11:42 pm

Just finished Jared Wilson’s Gospel Driven Ministry. I highly recommend it for any pastors or anyone who’s considering the pastorate.

Now: Recanting Calvinism by Steven Hitchcock.

by Sevenoneself Sat Aug 13, 2022 12:59 am

by Dr3ams Sat Aug 13, 2022 8:43 am

Piers Anthony - Incarnations of Immortality. It's a fantasy/sci-fi series of eight books. Read the first 7 books over 30 years ago, but I just picked up the "Under a Velvet Cloak" from 2007, so now I'm reading the entire collection again. It's really good...I highly recommend it.

by BaleMaster Sat Aug 13, 2022 9:48 am

Dr. Richard Gallagher, Demonic Foes.

by Grindboy Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:44 pm

Dr3ams wrote:Piers Anthony - Incarnations of Immortality. It's a fantasy/sci-fi series of eight books. Read the first 7 books over 30 years ago, but I just picked up the "Under a Velvet Cloak" from 2007, so now I'm reading the entire collection again. It's really good...I highly recommend it.

I read those back in my college years. They were kind of silly but totally delightful. I think I tried something else Anthony and it was too cheesy (not sure I even remember this right), but these were fun for sure.

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