Finished reading: The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson 📚
Really helpful treatment of shame (and one I expect to return to in the future).
Had a great time last night with my friend Dan Lisa: beer/food at Lazarus, stimulating conversation, and a wonderful talk from Oliver Burkeman hosted by First Light Books
Currently reading: Making Disciples by Alex Fogleman 📚
Finished reading: Jesus the Great Philosopher by Jonathan T. Pennington 📚
I absolutely loved this book. I hope Pennington builds on this framework (i.e., the Bible as philosophy, Scripture addressing the big questions of life) in the future. I’d be up for a more technical treatment, especially of how Christianity offers answers to the big questions of ancient philosophy: metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and politics.
Bob Thune has written the perfect response to Brad’s essay on the death of magisterial Protestantism: MAiD for Protestantism: A Reply to Brad East. I had wanted to write up something in response to Brad’s piece, but now I don’t need to. Thank you, Bob.
Tis the season
Currently reading: Jesus the Great Philosopher by Jonathan T. Pennington 📚
Enjoyed a stimulating lecture this evening from the inimitable Matthew Crawford on the question, “Can Christianity Be Noble?”
Music to my anti-productivity attuned ears (courtesy of Todd Brewer): “Time Management and the Recklessness of Jesus.”
Zac Koons convincingly argues that we ought not outsource praying and preaching to the AI chatbots infiltrating our churches. If AI can lessen some of the administrative burden of parish ministry, sure…go for it. But don’t be seduced when it comes to these distinctly human tasks, which really are at the heart of a minister’s vocation.
Zac also makes an interesting concluding point: “The rapid creep of AI into every nook and cranny of life represents a golden opportunity for our churches to grow and flourish. All we have to do is not use it.” With the onset of AI exhaustion, Zac suggests that the low-tech, humanity-embracing ethos of the church will be increasingly attractive to people. I heartily concur. May our churches be pockets of resistance from the technopoly, not functionaries of its reign.