Islam & Christianity: A Revealing Contrast by James F. Gauss -- I recall this being an Amazon.com recommendation. I ordered it back in 2009, but it didn't really interest me once I received it. It sat on my bookshelf for a year and a half before I decided I should read the books I'd bought before checking out new ones from the library. Thus, it got read finally. The author had some good points. I enjoyed many of the biblical passages. But overall the theme of the book was one that didn't encourage me to be more like Jesus. I felt the author misrepresented Islam on many points and I found myself arguing against what he wrote in defensive of a fuller context. I even marked a few pages with my arguments! So I'm glad I finished it and can move on.
In Ishmael's House: A History of Jews in Muslim Lands by Martin Gilbert -- This was another Amazon.com recommendation which I got for my birthday. I learned quite a lot from this book and it inspired four posts because I really wanted to make notes on some topics discussed. ; see previous posts for more details
The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark. -- mentioned it here and in my post about Christianity in the ancient world
Abraham's Children: Race, Identity, and the DNA of the Chosen People by Jon Entine -- see some things that took my attention from this book in my Jews, Hispanics, Chosenness, DNA, Lost Tribes, Sheep & More post
Sharing the Love of Christ With Your Muslim Neighbours by Ahmad Aygei -- this guy spoke at our church earlier this year and offered his book for sale. It's actually 2 books in one thus the following book is by him as well. He is from Ghana and grew up in a large Muslim family. He briefly shares how he became a follower of Jesus and then shares the trials of a new convert and God's heart for Muslims.
One of my favorite parts is from the Introduction:
"It is a sad fact that many Christians are ignorant of God's purposes for the Muslim world. Rather than having God's heart for the Muslims, they feel threatened and become hard-hearted towards them. Some see Islam as a threat which can only be conquered by military might. They have forgotten that we do not use the weapons of the world (2 Corinthians 10:4) and we are not fighting against flesh and blood (Ephesians 6:12). ... The fact that a sect or religious group is opposed to our beliefs does not mean we should hate them and wish to see evil befall them. The spirit of Christ is full of Love. Loving when we are hated is what makes Christians different." (pg. 1-2)
My other favorite part was dealing with trials and avoiding self pity while going through them. He encourages us to deal with trials properly and not allow ourselves to be self pitying or fearful, but realize God is our strength. (see pg. 28)
Ishmael Shall Be Blessed by Ahmad Aygei -- the second part of this 2 in 1 book. The author shares about Jesus from both the Bible and Quran. I found the final chapter on the Comforter of great interest. He shared the Islamic argument of the Comforter being a prophecy of Muhammad and compared it to the Christian belief of the Comforter being the Holy Spirit just as Jesus stated.
A Christian Perspective on Islam by J.L. Williams -- this guy is the one who actually brought Ahmad Aygei from Ghana to our church for the 3 day conference. I would not have bought this book because I have read so many books of this type already, but Andrew bought it without my knowing thus I figured I'd go ahead and read it. And there was some stuff that was different from most books of this type. I enjoyed the discussion of community, culture, the Crusades and colonialism. Some of it turned me off because I feel such people really are fearful of Islam and I just am not. Perhaps I am naive for being this way.
And with that, I have finished all the books on my own bookshelves aside from the few that are Andrew's. And on July 20, I went to the library and got more books which I shall begin shortly!
After the Apple by Naomi Harris Rosenblatt -- see previous posts for notes
The Geography of Bliss by Eric Weiner -- NPR correspondent decides to travel various parts of the world to determine what makes people happy or unhappy in the case of Moldova. This was a fun way to learn interesting tidbits about several countries like Bhutan, Iceland, Qatar, India and so forth. The subtitle is "one grump's search for the happiest places in the world." I love the conclusion that he reached about happiness being relational; it's "utterly intertwined with other people" and also, I believe, with our relationship with God.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Last Notes from "After the Apple"
After the Apple by Naomi Harris Rosenblatt -- last notes (see previous posts for more details on this book)
Lesson from Eve and Adam's scapegoating - "Taking responsibility for our imperfections is empowering, because blaming someone else for our actions necessarily assumes that we are victims who are acted upon. Acknowledging that everything we do matters focuses on the adult in us rather than the child. There must follow a behavioral change or at least a genuine effort; words alone are empty." (pg. 11)
I liked this reminder and it made me think of things I see sometimes in blogs about men who cannot control their actions because women dress provocatively or, maybe not even that, women just exist and men find them irresistible. To those who believe such things I say: grow up!
"Death confers a sense of urgency to life; the fact of death tells us that whatever we do is important, that we must not procrastinate." (pg. 20)
Makes me wonder what I need to do before I die.
Lesson from Sarah and Abraham heeding God's word and leaving home later in life - They teach us "that we can start a new life at an advanced age, that we need not stagnate or despair as we grow old." (pg. 24)
Good reminder as I age and feel less worthwhile.
"To me, the biblical emphasis on the barrenness of the matriarchs points out the importance of each individual to the survival of a minority community, by definition a people small in number. By focusing on one couple's struggle to conceive, the Bible transmutes the mundane occurrence of childbirth into a momentous event and thereby reinforce the Hebrew Bible's overarching principle that each individual is uniquely formed in the Divine image. The dignity of an individual is absolute and must be respected." (pg. 35)
It is rather odd how often women in the Bible are barren especially in a culture where, to many, children basically represent your only hope of immortality.
Re: hospitality -- "So central is this precept that the book of Genesis admonishes us not once but thirty-nine times to be kind to strangers." (pg. 57)
I thought that was pretty neat!
Concerning Rebecca and Isaac and his immediate love for her and how she comforted him after his mother's death: "The narrator could have ended here by saying that Isaac and Rebecca lived happily ever after. But this is the Bible, not a sequence of fairy tales designed to soothe the soul with comforting bromides. On the contrary, the Bible is written realistically for adults and continually alerts us to the ups and downs of marriages, the rise and fall of families, as well as the virtues and flaws of the protagonists." (pg. 61)
So true.
Remember the story of Tamar who dressed as a prostitute in order to have a child? By her deceased husband's father, Judah? He had shirked his lawful responsibility to her so she planned and took matters into her own hands by "do[ing] her homework, keep[ing] her focus on her goals, and think[ing] creatively and constructively on how to achieve them." The author notes that "the biblical scribes treat Tamar's resourcefulness and defiance of convention with dignity and sympathy. Her story affirms that a single human being is able to make a profound difference to history, even if that person is 'only a woman,' an outsider, [she was Canaanite], and one of society's least powerful members. Tamar deploys imagination and initiative to control her own destiny rather than waiting for a miracle or resigning herself to perpetual servitude. The Bible lauds and rewards her courage because they serve a goal larger than her own immediate welfare: the preeminent biblical values of family and continuity." (pg. 115)
Note: Tamar's line went on to produce King David and still further Jesus Christ. She is one of the only women mentioned by name in the genealogy given in the book of Matthew.
About those who blame Delilah for Samson's fall - This "is similar to blaming Eve for Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Neither Adam nor Samson is forced ... Both are free moral agents responsible for the actions they take. Depicting men as weak-kneed victims of female machinations only serves to infantilize them and to deprive them of personal responsibility and accountability." (pg. 128)
See my note above about growing up.
Hagar - first woman to whom an angel appeared
Michal - only woman in the Bible said to have fallen in love with a man; perhaps as the daughter of a king, her wishes were taken into account more than a common woman's would have been
Abigail - her "plea to David is the Hebrew Bible's longest single quotation attributed to a woman" (pg. 157)
I thought those were neat tidbits and wanted to share.
"The story of David and Bathsheba is a prime example of the Bible's 'tough love' approach to life. The Bible acknowledges that humans are both vulnerable and fallible, but it also holds us responsible for our actions. It teaches us that sexual behavior must be subordinate to a tradition of moral and ethical beliefs, and that lying to cover up sexual or other misdeeds is wrong. When David flouts this rule of life, the consequences of his behavior impinge on the lives of his children and bring misery and loss into his private life." (pg. 176)
This is what I mean when I say that I try to learn from the examples within the Bible. I don't use David as an excuse for having an affair. On the contrary, I realize God sees what I do and there are consequences - even for a king!
And since I'm a queen...heheheh, well? ;)
Lesson from Eve and Adam's scapegoating - "Taking responsibility for our imperfections is empowering, because blaming someone else for our actions necessarily assumes that we are victims who are acted upon. Acknowledging that everything we do matters focuses on the adult in us rather than the child. There must follow a behavioral change or at least a genuine effort; words alone are empty." (pg. 11)
I liked this reminder and it made me think of things I see sometimes in blogs about men who cannot control their actions because women dress provocatively or, maybe not even that, women just exist and men find them irresistible. To those who believe such things I say: grow up!
"Death confers a sense of urgency to life; the fact of death tells us that whatever we do is important, that we must not procrastinate." (pg. 20)
Makes me wonder what I need to do before I die.
Lesson from Sarah and Abraham heeding God's word and leaving home later in life - They teach us "that we can start a new life at an advanced age, that we need not stagnate or despair as we grow old." (pg. 24)
Good reminder as I age and feel less worthwhile.
"To me, the biblical emphasis on the barrenness of the matriarchs points out the importance of each individual to the survival of a minority community, by definition a people small in number. By focusing on one couple's struggle to conceive, the Bible transmutes the mundane occurrence of childbirth into a momentous event and thereby reinforce the Hebrew Bible's overarching principle that each individual is uniquely formed in the Divine image. The dignity of an individual is absolute and must be respected." (pg. 35)
It is rather odd how often women in the Bible are barren especially in a culture where, to many, children basically represent your only hope of immortality.
Re: hospitality -- "So central is this precept that the book of Genesis admonishes us not once but thirty-nine times to be kind to strangers." (pg. 57)
I thought that was pretty neat!
Concerning Rebecca and Isaac and his immediate love for her and how she comforted him after his mother's death: "The narrator could have ended here by saying that Isaac and Rebecca lived happily ever after. But this is the Bible, not a sequence of fairy tales designed to soothe the soul with comforting bromides. On the contrary, the Bible is written realistically for adults and continually alerts us to the ups and downs of marriages, the rise and fall of families, as well as the virtues and flaws of the protagonists." (pg. 61)
So true.
Remember the story of Tamar who dressed as a prostitute in order to have a child? By her deceased husband's father, Judah? He had shirked his lawful responsibility to her so she planned and took matters into her own hands by "do[ing] her homework, keep[ing] her focus on her goals, and think[ing] creatively and constructively on how to achieve them." The author notes that "the biblical scribes treat Tamar's resourcefulness and defiance of convention with dignity and sympathy. Her story affirms that a single human being is able to make a profound difference to history, even if that person is 'only a woman,' an outsider, [she was Canaanite], and one of society's least powerful members. Tamar deploys imagination and initiative to control her own destiny rather than waiting for a miracle or resigning herself to perpetual servitude. The Bible lauds and rewards her courage because they serve a goal larger than her own immediate welfare: the preeminent biblical values of family and continuity." (pg. 115)
Note: Tamar's line went on to produce King David and still further Jesus Christ. She is one of the only women mentioned by name in the genealogy given in the book of Matthew.
About those who blame Delilah for Samson's fall - This "is similar to blaming Eve for Adam's disobedience in the Garden of Eden. Neither Adam nor Samson is forced ... Both are free moral agents responsible for the actions they take. Depicting men as weak-kneed victims of female machinations only serves to infantilize them and to deprive them of personal responsibility and accountability." (pg. 128)
See my note above about growing up.
Hagar - first woman to whom an angel appeared
Michal - only woman in the Bible said to have fallen in love with a man; perhaps as the daughter of a king, her wishes were taken into account more than a common woman's would have been
Abigail - her "plea to David is the Hebrew Bible's longest single quotation attributed to a woman" (pg. 157)
I thought those were neat tidbits and wanted to share.
"The story of David and Bathsheba is a prime example of the Bible's 'tough love' approach to life. The Bible acknowledges that humans are both vulnerable and fallible, but it also holds us responsible for our actions. It teaches us that sexual behavior must be subordinate to a tradition of moral and ethical beliefs, and that lying to cover up sexual or other misdeeds is wrong. When David flouts this rule of life, the consequences of his behavior impinge on the lives of his children and bring misery and loss into his private life." (pg. 176)
This is what I mean when I say that I try to learn from the examples within the Bible. I don't use David as an excuse for having an affair. On the contrary, I realize God sees what I do and there are consequences - even for a king!
And since I'm a queen...heheheh, well? ;)
Monday, July 25, 2011
Rosenblatt on the Bible's Presentation of Polygamy
See introductory post on this book, After the Apple by Naomi Harris Rosenblatt.
The author notes polygamy and the fact that this is a polygamous society a number of times throughout the book.
From chapter 1 when God creates one woman for Adam's partner, she writes, "Another point the Bible suggests is that monogamy is more rewarding than polygamy. God creates one, not multiple, companions for Adam. Anthropologists tell us that men are generally polygamously inclined in consequence of a genetic drive to procreate whenever the opportunity arises. Yet it seems to me that by creating just one woman for the sole man the story is telling us that monogamy is the preferred state and that men need to curb, tame, and control their instinctive sexual drive. Monogamous marriage has been referred to by the psychologist Ned Gaylin as 'the institution for civilizing' sexuality. The Bible suggests that human beings are most nurtured by deep and lasting emotional relationships and the more we put into a relationship the more we get out of it. Multiple or serial relationships dilute the intensity that a monogamous relationship can develop because it concentrates the emotional, sexual, and intellectual aspects of human beings into a single focus. Each time we read of a biblical polygamous family, we read of suffering and pain." (pg. 6)
In the chapter of Jacob with his wives Leah and Rachel -- "In this story the Bible demonstrates a preference for monogamy by detailing the miseries of polygamy. Polygamy is shown to encourage rivalry among multiple wives to gain the single husband's sexual and emotional attention, to have the most children, to receive the most kudos, and to gain the most favor for their children...Modern men may fantasize about a plethora of available women, but the Bible depicts polygamous men as forced to deal with the politics and rivalry among their wives and their children, a rivalry that often extends into the next generations. It offers the sobering suggestion that the husbands (such as Jacob with Rachel, Abraham with Sarah, and Elkanah with Hannah) endured unhappy domestic lives because they had to deal with the misery and suffering of many women..." (pg. 91)
Through the laws of their days, Leah and Rachel each owned a servant given to them by their father. And as permitted in their times, they could give their servants to their husband in order to have children through the servants. Thus Jacob not only dealt with the politics of sleeping with his own wives, but was told by those wives to sleep with their servants, Bilhah and Zilpah, in order to have more children for Jacob. (Rachel was barren at this time so Bilhah was the only way she could have children.) (pg. 97)
You'll also recall Sarah came up with the plan to have children through her servant Hagar since she was barren and she decided to take matters into her own hands and have children through Hagar. Of course that all backfired and got rather ugly.
The author notes polygamy and the fact that this is a polygamous society a number of times throughout the book.
From chapter 1 when God creates one woman for Adam's partner, she writes, "Another point the Bible suggests is that monogamy is more rewarding than polygamy. God creates one, not multiple, companions for Adam. Anthropologists tell us that men are generally polygamously inclined in consequence of a genetic drive to procreate whenever the opportunity arises. Yet it seems to me that by creating just one woman for the sole man the story is telling us that monogamy is the preferred state and that men need to curb, tame, and control their instinctive sexual drive. Monogamous marriage has been referred to by the psychologist Ned Gaylin as 'the institution for civilizing' sexuality. The Bible suggests that human beings are most nurtured by deep and lasting emotional relationships and the more we put into a relationship the more we get out of it. Multiple or serial relationships dilute the intensity that a monogamous relationship can develop because it concentrates the emotional, sexual, and intellectual aspects of human beings into a single focus. Each time we read of a biblical polygamous family, we read of suffering and pain." (pg. 6)
In the chapter of Jacob with his wives Leah and Rachel -- "In this story the Bible demonstrates a preference for monogamy by detailing the miseries of polygamy. Polygamy is shown to encourage rivalry among multiple wives to gain the single husband's sexual and emotional attention, to have the most children, to receive the most kudos, and to gain the most favor for their children...Modern men may fantasize about a plethora of available women, but the Bible depicts polygamous men as forced to deal with the politics and rivalry among their wives and their children, a rivalry that often extends into the next generations. It offers the sobering suggestion that the husbands (such as Jacob with Rachel, Abraham with Sarah, and Elkanah with Hannah) endured unhappy domestic lives because they had to deal with the misery and suffering of many women..." (pg. 91)
Through the laws of their days, Leah and Rachel each owned a servant given to them by their father. And as permitted in their times, they could give their servants to their husband in order to have children through the servants. Thus Jacob not only dealt with the politics of sleeping with his own wives, but was told by those wives to sleep with their servants, Bilhah and Zilpah, in order to have more children for Jacob. (Rachel was barren at this time so Bilhah was the only way she could have children.) (pg. 97)
You'll also recall Sarah came up with the plan to have children through her servant Hagar since she was barren and she decided to take matters into her own hands and have children through Hagar. Of course that all backfired and got rather ugly.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Hebrew Bible and Women
First library book finished...just a few notes for now. I need to watch NCIS.
In the back of the book there is a ten question conversation with the author, Naomi Harris Rosenblatt. I especially enjoyed the author's answer to question 8 about the most important thing she wanted people to know about these women in After the Apple and what biggest misconception she wanted to dispel.
"In piecing together a book that is both a history of a people and its moral code, the Hebrew Bible esteems women who refuse to surrender to misfortune but marshal whatever resources they have available to defy what others view as inescapable fate. ... [She then mentions Ruth and Tamar's ways of making themselves part of the family after being widowed.] These women are alert to the rare appearance of opportunities for them to achieve justice, and they have the courage to act on their convictions." (pg. 233)
"What I find particularly intriguing about the women is that most of them circumvent male authority in a patriarchal society, and some even subvert it. Even more remarkable is the fact that the women, other than Jezebel, are never punished for their unconventional conduct. On the contrary, the biblical scribes treat the women with deep sympathy, and are sensitive to their plight." Most are even "rewarded for their boldness." (pg. 255)
In the back of the book there is a ten question conversation with the author, Naomi Harris Rosenblatt. I especially enjoyed the author's answer to question 8 about the most important thing she wanted people to know about these women in After the Apple and what biggest misconception she wanted to dispel.
First, I would like to challenge the widespread notion that the women of the Hebrew Bible were timid and crushed under a harsh patriarchal boot. After the Apple demonstrates that, on the contrary, these women used their power as women; they seduced, they challenged, they subverted authority, to work everyday miracles in a male dominated culture.
Second, to refute once and for all the widespread notion of Eve as an underhanded seductress. (pg. 268)
"In piecing together a book that is both a history of a people and its moral code, the Hebrew Bible esteems women who refuse to surrender to misfortune but marshal whatever resources they have available to defy what others view as inescapable fate. ... [She then mentions Ruth and Tamar's ways of making themselves part of the family after being widowed.] These women are alert to the rare appearance of opportunities for them to achieve justice, and they have the courage to act on their convictions." (pg. 233)
"What I find particularly intriguing about the women is that most of them circumvent male authority in a patriarchal society, and some even subvert it. Even more remarkable is the fact that the women, other than Jezebel, are never punished for their unconventional conduct. On the contrary, the biblical scribes treat the women with deep sympathy, and are sensitive to their plight." Most are even "rewarded for their boldness." (pg. 255)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Here are my library books, colorful sack and notebook! Whee!
In yesterday's post I mentioned a trip to the library. Here are the books I checked out. You can even see the colorful sack that I took along with me and filled. OK, so it was only 7 books. It sure seemed like more! :)
Also you can see page one of my list of books to look for at the library. These are all books they have at one of the local branches per the website search feature. I have title, author, reference number, which branch of the library has the book and even a place for when I read it. Sometimes I even note where I heard about the book (e.g., Bridget's blog, footnote in book).
Nerd I am.
Any guesses which two were on my list?
Click photos to enlarge.
Also you can see page one of my list of books to look for at the library. These are all books they have at one of the local branches per the website search feature. I have title, author, reference number, which branch of the library has the book and even a place for when I read it. Sometimes I even note where I heard about the book (e.g., Bridget's blog, footnote in book).
Nerd I am.
 |
| Two of these were on my list; the others just made it to my house somehow. |
Any guesses which two were on my list?
Click photos to enlarge.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Ollie's, Library, Jesus
Today I went to the Grand Opening of a new store in town, Ollie's. It's kind of like Big Lots. Has a lot of close-out stuff or slightly irregular products at cheaper prices than if you found them in other stores in pristine condition. I usually avoid crowded stores, but I was just in the mood to go so I did. They have a books section that I checked out with interest. An older couple was browsing in the same area and the husband walked away with a laugh saying he didn't need to get any more. He had 2 or 3 books in his hands already. I talked with them briefly and joked about his library. Good-natured stuff. I started to go back to looking and the man requested permission to ask me something "rather personal." I didn't mind and told him "sure."
"Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?"
I smiled broadly and assured him I did.
He then grinned and held out his hand to shake mine, "Glad to meet you, sister."
Hehehe...I thought that was cute.
And, no, I am not offended. You care for my soul? Thank you very much! I mean that for people of any religion who care enough for my soul to share their faith.
------------------------------
I was down to half a book left to read from my quest to read all my books so I treated myself to A TRIP TO THE LIBRARY!!!!!!!!! When I read books, sometimes I notice in the footnotes a book that seems interesting. First I'll look online to see if my library has it. If not, I resort to Amazon.com and my Wishlist. I keep a notebook of the library books I may want to check out and I took it with me today.
I found a few from my list and - as always - a few not from the list that just, you know the drill: jumped off the shelves into my arms.
*tsk* Naughty books.
I'm glad I took my reusable bag to carry them all. I had a sack of books!
------------------------------
You know that verse in Luke about Jesus coming to seek and save that which was lost? I figured out this week part of that must be relationships. He came to seek relationships and restore them. And the more I see people having problems within families - mothers rejecting daughters; fathers abandoning families; children rebelling - the more I see the wonderfulness of this aspect of Jesus.
Thank you, God, for your willingness to heal relationships!
More and more I see the value in whole relationships. It's really awful to be at odds with people who should be bound by love.
Wouldn't it be nice to just sit around, enjoy your family and have peace?
"Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior?"
I smiled broadly and assured him I did.
He then grinned and held out his hand to shake mine, "Glad to meet you, sister."
Hehehe...I thought that was cute.
And, no, I am not offended. You care for my soul? Thank you very much! I mean that for people of any religion who care enough for my soul to share their faith.
------------------------------
I was down to half a book left to read from my quest to read all my books so I treated myself to A TRIP TO THE LIBRARY!!!!!!!!! When I read books, sometimes I notice in the footnotes a book that seems interesting. First I'll look online to see if my library has it. If not, I resort to Amazon.com and my Wishlist. I keep a notebook of the library books I may want to check out and I took it with me today.
I found a few from my list and - as always - a few not from the list that just, you know the drill: jumped off the shelves into my arms.
*tsk* Naughty books.
I'm glad I took my reusable bag to carry them all. I had a sack of books!
------------------------------
You know that verse in Luke about Jesus coming to seek and save that which was lost? I figured out this week part of that must be relationships. He came to seek relationships and restore them. And the more I see people having problems within families - mothers rejecting daughters; fathers abandoning families; children rebelling - the more I see the wonderfulness of this aspect of Jesus.
Thank you, God, for your willingness to heal relationships!
More and more I see the value in whole relationships. It's really awful to be at odds with people who should be bound by love.
Wouldn't it be nice to just sit around, enjoy your family and have peace?
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