Now that summer is here, what better way to read a book than sat in the sunshine? It aslo means that I am busier in the garden so opportunities for reading are slightly reduced. However, I have managed to finish a few more this week. Below are some of my thoughts on the books that I have just completed.
‘The Netanyahus’ by Josha Cohen (a novel that won the Pulitzer Prize)
One of the oddest books I have read, I am not sure that I really enjoyed it. It has been reviewed as “a fastidious and very funny book that is one of the most purely pleasurable works of fiction I’ve read in ages” by Jon Day of the Financial Times.
It is a novel told from the viewpoint of Ruben Blum, a Jewish historian at a fictional college in New York. Set in the winter of 1959-1960, Blum is appointed on a hiring committee to review the application of Benzion Netanyahu, an “exiled Israeli scholar specializing in the Spanish Inquisition.” The story’s central focus is the visit of Netanyahu, who unexpectedly brings along his wife and 3 children and which Blum and his wife reluctantly host.
Netanyahu is a historical figure although the events the novel relates to are supposedly fictional. It does not paint Netanyahu and his family in a good light, in fact they come across as quite horrid.
The language is intellectual and culturally Jewish, so many references went over my head. I didn’t find the book especially funny, although there were a couple of amusing incidents such as the lengths Blum’s daughter went to in order to get her nose surgically altered by arranging to have a door slam into it!
‘The Glories of God’s Love’ by Milton Vincent (a book that has a fruit of the Spirit in the title)
A very short book which is a gospel primer. It is a book in three parts. First it lists 31 reasons why you should daily preach the gospel to yourself, such as it is all I need for life and godliness; it encourages me to rest in Christ’s righteousness; it develops a burden for the lost; it is my daily protection; it enables me to embrace tribulation; it frees me from self-love; it fosters gratitude; it stimulates me to love others, to name a few. Parts 2 and 3 set out the gospel in prose and poetry respectively. Part 4 is the story behind the primer. The author tried to maintain God’s favour and felt burdened by it until one day he read Romans 5, and everything became clear. He is always under God’s favour because of what Jesus did. To help remind him of this grace and prevent him returning to performance mode, Vincent wrote out truths regarding his justification on 3x5 index cards which he carried everywhere. These cards ultimately expanded into this short book. I wonder what difference it would make if I carried around some cards with me containing some gospel truths.
‘King Lear’ by Shakespear (a play by Shakespear)
I haven’t read Shakespear since I was at school over 20 years ago. Even then we studied Midsummer Nights Dream and Romeo and Juliet, so King Lear was a play that I was completely unfamiliar with. However, I surprised myself by just how much I was able to understand and how much I enjoyed reading it.
King Lear decides to share out his kingdom between his 3 daughters but first asks them to describe how much they love him. Goneril and Regan oblige and flatter their father. However, Cordelia, who truly loves him, doesn’t and is disinherited. The eldest sister later rejects the king when he turns up at their homes and he is forced to wander about in the storm gradually becoming insane.
It is a tragedy, so the story does not end well for the main characters.
‘Of Temptation: The Nature and Power of it’ by John Owen (a book written by a Puritan)
This was a difficult book to read, not least because it was written in 1658. But also because the subject matter is very serious.
The foundational principle is that sorrows and difficulties come because of foolish behaviour, which Proverbs 23:34 describes as like a man “who lies down in the midst of the sea” is likely to drown. To guard against the foolishness and danger of entering into temptation is to watch and pray, which Jesus exhorts his disciples to do in the garden of Gethsemane (Matt 26:41).
Owen defines temptation, in general, as “anything, state, way, or condition that, upon any account whatsoever, has a force or efficacy to seduce, to draw the mind and heart of a man from its obedience, which God requires of him, into any sin, in any degree of it whatsoever.”
While God can deliver us out of temptation (2 Pet 2:9) and make a way of escape (1 Cor 10:13), nevertheless, the Christian still has a duty to be diligent and not fall into temptation, as evidenced by Jesus’ exhortation to watch and pray.
Some practical advice:
Consider my own weakness, the deceitfulness of my heart and the power of temptation to darken my mind and entangle my affections so that all “detestation of sin, abhorring of it, terror of the Lord, sense of love, presence of Christ crucified, all depart and leave the heart a pray to its enemy.”
Don’t neglect duties (i.e., prayer and bible reading). “If the head be heavy and slumber in the things of grace, if the heart be cold in duties, evil lies at the door.”
Store up provisions against temptation, that is, by keeping the heart full of a sense of the love of God in Christ.
Be always awake to detect temptation early before they gain strength and power. Meet them with thoughts of the cross, say to myself “Christ died for sins such as these”.
Bear in mind that I am always under the eye of Jesus, the captain of my salvation. What would Christ think when he sees a temptation hurtling toward me and I am fast asleep. Would it not grieve him to see me so exposed to danger after he has warned me?
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus (A book on the New York Times bestseller list)
This book is on many bestsellers lists and it is not difficult to see why. It is a riveting story, funny and with likeable characters. Set in the US in the late 50s, early 60s it is about Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant Chemist who is forced to become a TV chef to support her child as a single mother. Because of the period in which too often women were disadvantaged and abused Zott struggled to be taken seriously and respected in her profession. While there was a lot of sexism in those days, I also felt that this was a feminist book to the extent that it looks down on women as homeworkers. I also did not agree with the author’s worldview. Zott’s research was abiogenesis which looks to prove there is no God. She believes there isn’t any difference between the sexes and differences are a matter of up bringing and societal conditioning. Homosexuality is a biological fact, that is just ‘who they are’. Christians are portrayed as corrupt, abusive, and weak.
Having said all this, I did enjoy the book, Elizabeth Zott’s strength of character and knowing her own mind. My favourite character was the dog, called ‘six-thirty’ and sometimes the narrative would switch to the dog’s viewpoint and his observations can be amusing, such as finding it strange that the groundskeeper in a cemetery would carry a rifle in a place of the already dead.
‘Going Green’ by Catherine Von Ruhland (a book from a theological viewpoint I disagree with)
This was aimed primarily at students, both at school and college, but also brought in application for readers that might be working. It was published in 1991 and a lot has moved on in terms of green issues and technological development since the time of writing. The author is a press officer with Tear Fund. She was once arrested for taking part in a protest against the sale of fur at a department store and I kind of wonder whether she would be part of the ‘Just stop oil’ protestors (for which I have no sympathy). Catherine is a vegetarian and while trying to be balanced it is clear that she thinks Christians should be.
I disagree with this book in respect to the emphasis placed on ‘Green’, it is a philosophy sometimes taken to extremes and the author does at times misapply scripture through a ‘green’ lens. For example, Romans 8:18 “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Present sufferings are oil spills, animal extinction, chemicals in the atmosphere. The glory will be when these are all gone as God puts it all right. Or 1 Cor 6:19 “…your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit…” therefore be careful not to eat things that are bad for your mental and physical health. It is by growing things that we understand Jesus’ words in John 15:1-2.
There were some aspects of the book that I agreed with, or do already, such as grow things from seeds, make my clothes last and buy things second hand.
Each chapter ends with action points. Many I have no intention of doing, such as reading the materials or books she recommends. But some I feel challenged to do, such as take more time to appreciate the world around me, the night sky (not that I can see stars in the city), nature, sunsets etc. Have a blitz of my possessions, give to more causes (unlikely to be green ones but there are many in poverty or persecution in other parts of the world that need help). Make more time for people, “Friendship is both Christian and Green. It puts value on people is a simple human need fulfilled and is cheap and doesn’t need a lot of energy [unless you are an introvert] or resources to keep a good friendship going.”
Currently reading
‘Judges’ by Dale Ralph Davis (a commentary on a book of the bible)
‘Emma’ by Jane Austen (a book by Jane Austen)
‘Have a little Faith’ by Lesley Gomez (a book with a great cover)
‘Bacon Sandwiches and Salvation’ by Adrian Plass (a humorous book)
‘Tests of Faith’ by J A Motyer (a book by an Anglican)
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