A Year with C.S. Lewis

Join me in 2013 for a year’s journey of drawing closer to God, as well as learning more about our Christian faith, through the life and writings of C.S. Lewis, one of the most popular and influential Christian thinkers of the 20^th century.

My goals for this focus are, first of all, to help acquaint you with the person and works of and about C.S. Lewis. Secondly, I pray that your view of God and the Christian life will grow richer and larger and livelier. Thirdly, my deepest hope is that you will take what you learn and put it into practice as well as share it with others.

There are two ways to spend this year with C.S. Lewis.

1. You can think of this as, “Pastor Dale’s Book Club,” and simply read each month’s assigned book on your own. This will be an independent study of sorts. No checking-in required. Think of the assigned booklist as a helpful suggestion to aid your reading of C.S. Lewis.

OR…

2. You can think of this as a low-key directed study. By that I mean, if you so desire, you are more than welcome to set up times to meet with me to discuss each month’s book, what you’ve learned, questions you may have, etc. The last thing I want to do is add stress to your life, therefore, you are free to meet with me every other week, every other month, or not at all (or any other schedule that you can think of). The choice (and schedule) is up to you!

We begin our literary journey on January 1, 2013. You can check out the reading list below to see what interests you. Read a few of them… or read them all. Whatever you decide to do, I know you’ll be blessed by reading the books of and about this great man. More importantly, you’ll be even more blessed as you grow closer to the God of this great man.

Grace and Truth,
Dale

Reading List

• January – The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C.S. Lewis by Alan Jacobs (Biography)
• February – Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life by C.S. Lewis 
• March – A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
• March – Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• April – The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
• May – The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
• June – Seeking the Secret Place: The Spiritual Formation of C.S. Lewis by Lyle Dorsett
• July – Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer by C.S. Lewis
• August – The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis
• September – Between Heaven & Hell: A Dialogue Somewhere Beyond Death with John F. Kennedy, C.S. Lewis & Aldous Huxley by Peter Kreeft
• October – Not A Tame Lion by Bruce L. Edwards
• November – The Soul of The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by Gene Veith
• December – The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

The books can be purchased online at Christianbook.com or Amazon.

Locally, I’m certain that Barnes and Noble or Lifeway Christian Store can order the books for you if they do not have them in stock.

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Do You Read Much?

I’m a bit of a late bloomer. I’m convinced that it was God’s grace moving in and through my call to ordained ministry that empowered and encouraged me to become someone who enjoys reading. Prior to that… all the way through college (to my parent’s horror) I seldom picked up a book (my grades reflected this fact).

Yet, even in college, when I was interested in something, such as politics, I would actually pick up a book and read it. It was after I graduated from college that I found myself reading books, mostly on theology. It was partly through reading that God ignited my heart and mind for him and for ministry. I’ve been a fairly active and consistent reader ever since.

However, to my frustration, there are just too many good books worth reading and not nearly enough time. Therefore, the discernment process is key… which  books to read and when. This process is a work in progress for me.

One thing has been very helpful is reading book summaries and reviews. I once heard Os Guinness say that we can’t possibly read everything we want to, so why not benefit from others who have read and summarized (and even evaluated) some of the same books that you have been meaning to read, but just haven’t gotten around to yet. If the summary of the book really excites you, you can always buy the book for yourself.

There’s a very helpful post today at Church Relevance on this point. I recommend that you read it as well.

Here are a few Book Summary providers that I’ve come across. Two of them I have already subscribed to. A couple of others I’m considering. If you have other recommendations, I’d love to hear from you.

• Christian Book Summaries - This is a free service. They have a great collection of Christian books on a wide variety of topics.
• Success Book Summaries - I have also subscribed to this. It comes in both audio and print. They cover books on leadership, personal development, business, etc.
• Leaders Book Summaries - This is one that I’m about ready to pull the trigger on. It looks great. The Church Relevance blog specifically mentioned this one in today’s post.
• Business Book Summaries Reviews is a website that reviews other “book summary” websites. They have a great list of other good services with their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Again, let me hear from you if you have some other good suggestions. I’m always looking for ways to read more (as well as to remember what I read).

Happy Reading,
Dale

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Systematic Theology by Thomas Oden

One of the things that I love about Oden is that not only is he biblical, but that he doesn’t write as though he is the first (or only) person to have ever read the Bible. He draws (very thoroughly) from Christian history, especially the early Church. He understands what it means to read the Bible in community.

His three volume set on systematic theology is arranged in a Trinitarian fashion: Book 1: The Living God, Book 2: The Word of Life, and Book 3: Life in the Spirit. It’s not necessarily an easy read, but it is thorough and comes from a deep and abiding faith.

Oden is a United Methodist, but in this work his emphasis is focused more on what all (or at least “most”) Christians can and should agree on if we would call ourselves Christian.

Here’s a description of the series from Christianbook.com…

Covering the nature of God, the person of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit, Oden’s masterful study emphasizes the ecumenical common ground of theological doctrine. Faithful to biblical teaching and classical tradition, his direct, provocative approach articulates the concerns of pastors, teachers, seminarians, and thoughtful laypersons. An indispensable reference at an irresistible price! 1561 pages total, three hardcovers from Hendrickson.

Click here to learn more about it  or to order it.

Happy Reading,
Dale

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What I’m Reading…

The only thing worse than my blogging ADD** is my reading ADD**. How many of you have several books on your bedside table or next to your favorite comfy reading chair or couch? You know of what I speak. I get in the zone with one book and knock out a few chapters and then my attention wains and I move on to another book.

Having realized this about myself I have come to see how cyclical this tendency is for me. I know that though I lose interest in what I’m reading, I also know that it’s temporary. Therefore, I keep several books going at once… reading one or two chapters in one before I move on to another. But, I usually keep the books with me because I know I’ll return to them to pick back up wherever I left off. Eventually, I really do complete the whole book. And what usually happens is that I complete several within a week’s time. This makes it look like I read a lot more than I really do. Of course, reading this way makes reading a whole book take forever. I usually have to go back and review what I had previously read in the earlier chapters.

It ain’t pretty, but that’s my reading habit. So, without any further ado… here’s what I’m presently reading…

[**No, I don't really think I have ADD, but it's therapeutic for me to blame my lack of self-discipline and self-control on something "I can't help."]

PSS – If you are interested in learning more about any of the books below, click on the image.

Kenneth Collins, the author of this last one, is quickly becoming one of my favorite writers. He combines very fine scholarship with a clear personal faith… even as he goes deep expounding Wesley’s theology. This book is an excellent treatment of Wesley. Good stuff.

Happy Reading,
Dale

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Spiritual Life Checkup (Part 3: Intellectual Life)

Click here to read Part 1: Introduction 
Click here to read Part 2: Devotional Life

The recommended article to go along with these questions is: The Mind Under Grace by Darren Marks at Christianity Today

1.      How often do you read the Bible?

2.      Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word?

 3.      Do you feel you know the Bible?________ What help do you need? 

 4.      Are your doubts and questions being answered?________ If yes, how? If not, what help do you need?

 5.      Do you understand basic concepts of Christian doctrine – examples: the character of God, the Person and Work of Jesus Christ, the ministry of the Holy Spirit, sin, salvation, Christian growth, etc.?  What help do you need?

 6.      In what areas of intellectual life (explaining your faith; understanding basic Christian doctrine and theology; practical applications of Scripture; Bible knowledge; etc.) are you strong, and in which are you weak?

 7.      Are you part of a Bible study or small group? ________ If you are, what have you learned that has helped you grow in your faith?

 8.      What are your reading habits?

 9.      What kinds of books do you generally read? How have these books shaped your thinking?

Grace and Truth,
Dale

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Suggested Reading for Men’s Discipleship

I’ve been a fan of Pat Morley’s Man in the Mirror ministry for a good number of years now. In my opinion, Morley well understands the Bible, discipleship, and men.

I would encourage you to read the following suggested articles that he has linked on his resource page. I have read them and they are very helpful.

Suggested Readings on DiscipleshipRead the articles we consider most important for the pastor or leader who wants to focus on men’s discipleship. Read more articles in the A Look in the Mirror archives.

113. “Sustainability” The #1 Problem in Men’s Ministry
112. A Call for a Discipleship Reformation of the Church
107. What is a Disciple? And How Do You Make One?
105. Rethinking Men’s Ministry – A View from 30,000 Feet
88. The State of Men in America
86. A Theology and Philosophy of Men’s Ministry
85. The Battle for Men’s Souls
75. The Future of Men’s Ministry
60. Attracting Men Back to Church
58. The Three Essential Things That Make a Disciple
52. Sustaining Momentum in Your Men’s Ministry
47. How I Would Start a Men’s Ministry in My Church
34. Recovering a Vision for Making Disciples
24. Can a Men’s Ministry Really Last?
17. How to Build a Strong Men’s Ministry

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New Feature: Book Reviews

I’ve had the privilege of occasionally being asked to review a book on my blog. Now, I don’t for a second think that’s because I’m so insightful. I know that it has much more to do with exposure for the book. But that’s okay; it’s still nice to be asked and I enjoy the opportunity.

I have, on many occasions, used this blog to share the great ideas that I’ve learned from the books I read. I believe I’ve been positively shaped and molded by many of them. As is usually the case, I generally review the books that I really like or have been particularly blessed by (though I may dare to venture out on this front).  It’s always an added treat when the author of the book takes the time to connect with me and thank me for my efforts. (I don’t write the reviews for that reason, but, again, it’s a nice treat.)

Interestingly, my reviews are often my most popular posts. I think that’s because many of us like to check out what others thought about a book before we decide to invest the time and money in the book ourselves. Or, as I stated in an earlier post on book summaries, we get what we need from a book out of the review itself. And besides, we can’t read everything that’s out there.

I’ve been fairly generous so far by calling my posts about books “reviews.” They are certainly not critical reviews because, as I said, I’m usually writing about a book I really like. Thus, I guess you could say that they are more like “advertisements”  for the books. I’m clearly hoping that my efforts will encourage folks to read them. (But, as I said, I may soon be including some books that I don’t necessarily agree with.)

Also, because it’s my blog, my “reviews” are different in that I don’t have to review the whole book at once. I’m not sure I’m smart enough to do that anyway. Instead, I enjoy studying the book chapter by chapter, really digging into it and seeing what’s there (or what’s not there), thinking about it, and then commenting on it. My “book reviews” should probably more appropriately be called “chapter reports.”

Over the years I’ve discovered various resources that have really helped me get all I can out of a book. I haven’t perfected the art, but I’ve grown a great deal. I know that I don’t apply everything I’ve learned, but I have been able to put together a few things that make up an outlined agenda of sorts. This outline of questions, thoughts, etc., helps me absorb more of what I’m reading than I would without it. It also helps me as I share what I’ve read with others, whether I’m writing about it, teaching it, or simply talking about it with someone over lunch.

At any rate, I thought it might be helpful to officially make book reviews a new feature here at Renovate Your Life. Ideas have consequences, both intellectually and practically. I know from experience how God can use a book to renew a mind and transform a life (that’s renovation). It’s my sincerest prayer that these little reviews will be a blessing to those who read them, and will hopefully lead the reader to the books to which they point.

Happy Reading,
Dale

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