On
the reading of books:
Someone asked me, "Pastor, what have you been reading lately?
I have not seen anything new on the web site."
Well, to
tell you the truth, I have been reading political and historic
material this summer. Why you wonder? Politics and history have
an enormous impact on the present, on our lives and the way the
media presents its stories. I firmly believe in the dictum that
those who don't learn from the mistakes of the past are doomed
to repeat them. So, are my book reports.
(By-the-way,
if you read anything that was of great interest, I would be happy
to hear about it. I can't say that I will read it. But I may.
Your pastor is a slow reader, and it may take some time before
he gets to it.)
Things
Too Good to Neglect
THE LUTHERAN
STUDY BIBLE
Much advertised,
long awaited, THE LUTHERAN STUDY BIBLE is now available from Concordia
Publishing House. This is a sizable study Bible; considerably
bigger than the NIV Self-Study Bible Concordia published many
years ago. What's the difference?
This Bible
features the English Standard Version translation: as such it
lays claim to following in the tradition of the King James and
Revised Standard Version Bibles. Some have criticized it for being
too formal, too wooden. On the other hand if you really want to
know what the original text said, this may be the translation
you want.
THE SELF-STUDY
BIBLE'S notes were generically protestant, and the copyright belonged
to Zondervan, which is no longer privately own by Christians.
THE LUTHERAN STUDY BIBLE'S notes are new, they are the work of
Lutheran scholars who appreciate our tradition.
If I have
a criticism, it's that the pages of this book are thin. And if
you like to highlight or take notes, you'll want to chose your
pen carefully. It has many useful charts, time lines, maps and
illustrations. They've included the Small Catechism and other
devotional aids, like a chart to help you read through the Bible
in a timely manner.
It come in
large print, and an assortment of different styles. It might make
a good Christmas gift.
THE CHRISTMAS
SWEATER
Sometimes
you never know what will appeal to you. That's why you have to
go to your local library and browse. In June a small red covered
book jumped up and said "read me." A book with the word
Christmas in it, in June? I may have grabbed it because I recognized
its author, Glen Beck a conservative TV news commentator, but
having read it I can recommend to you. And the book comes in a
children's version too.
It is the
story of the author's personal conversion. In his words "its
about redemption and atonement." It is about growing up,
family and forgiveness. It was a NY Times best seller. You can
buy it or borrow it from you local library like did.
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