What Book Is Everyone Reading Right Now?

[Damien the Leper]

I love Geisler's arguments against Calvinism.

[volgadon]

Hopefully you get out of this movie as much as I did, but I came from a place of never having read the book or seeing the play. I'm still waiting to see if Volgadon enjoyed it. I begged him to try it since he didn't really desire to go at the time. (I just tried to find the conversation but can't see it, so maybe I've dreamed it up). But can't wait to hear how you liked it on this topic or the "Last Movie Watched" topic. I really want to see it again!

You did ask me, and as soon as I get the chance, I will.

[Alan]

Now finished with Approaching Zion (Hugh Nibley), and have started The Screwtape Letters (C.S. Lewis). I first read this on my mission many, many years ago. I hope to get more from it this time.

[DH]

I am currently reading The Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean Auel. Very interesting!

[bluebell]

I am currently reading The Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean Auel. Very interesting!

I read that a few years ago and it was really entertaining.

[Duncan]

Just finished and was blown away by Elder Groberg's book Refuge and Reality, on the Temple. Next I will read Robert Millet's recent book on Christ

[changed]

The Second Comforter by Denver C. Snuffer, Jr.

I just downloaded the above... so far I like his ideas, but half of it seems to be written in the tone of a "sales pitch"... and the used-car salesman language that is used to present and sell the ideas are annoying.

[ERMD]

Leadership and Self-Deception by The Arbinger Institute

And the New Testament

[Gillebre]

I just finished reading Wrath and Righteousness, by Chris Stewart. A very good series that starts off with subtle tie-ins to LDS theology, which only progress as the series goes on.

I highly recommend it.

It was so compelling that I simply couldn't put it down, for any reason other than work or sleep. Haha.

1065 pages in 5 days.

[Tacenda]

I just finished reading Wrath and Righteousness, by Chris Stewart. A very good series that starts off with subtle tie-ins to LDS theology, which only progress as the series goes on.

I highly recommend it.

It was so compelling that I simply couldn't put it down, for any reason other than work or sleep. Haha.

1065 pages in 5 days.

Wow! I've read books like that. A little depressing when they come to an end. The "Work & the Glory" series was one for me, especially the first three books. Edited January 26, 2013 by Tacenda

[bluebell]

I just finished reading Wrath and Righteousness, by Chris Stewart. A very good series that starts off with subtle tie-ins to LDS theology, which only progress as the series goes on.

I highly recommend it.

It was so compelling that I simply couldn't put it down, for any reason other than work or sleep. Haha.

1065 pages in 5 days.

I bought the first one for my Nook, but have not been able to get interested in the story line at all yet-i think i'm about 50 pages in so far. I think part of my issue is that Stewart's portrayal of the pre-existence doesn't speak to me at all. I know it's all just speculation but his imagine on the subject and mine clash enough that i just cannot get into the story or care yet about any of the characters.

Did you have any issues with the first one? I can't seem to make myself finish it but if i thought i might like the next books better i could maybe do it.

[Gillebre]

What about his portrayal of pre-mortal life failed to speak to you? I don't remember anything glaringly awful jumping out at me.

[bluebell]

What about his portrayal of pre-mortal life failed to speak to you? I don't remember anything glaringly awful jumping out at me.

Nothing was awful, i just found it weird, i guess.

The way the family units were put together, that people took turns babysitting the little kid spirits like everyone grew up in a great big nursery, and how Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, and even Jesus really weren't involved in people's lives any more there than they are here.

[Rivers]

Nothing was awful, i just found it weird, i guess.

The way the family units were put together, that people took turns babysitting the little kid spirits like everyone grew up in a great big nursery, and how Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, and even Jesus really weren't involved in people's lives any more there than they are here.

How would our Heavenly Parents be able to be involved personally in the lives of billions of spirit children?

[Calm]

How would our Heavenly Parents be able to be involved personally in the lives of billions of spirit children?

Perhaps in a similar but not as advanced way as when we become one with God after death if we accept the Atonement and so forth.

If they are not personally involved in their children's lives more so than earthly parents are, I don't see how it can be claimed they are the ideal we should all be striving for, etc.

[Alvino]

oh man! I NEVER read fiction. I am strictly interested in non fiction! to that end I am currently reading the new book on Christ by Robert Millet

You should try to read short stories (probably my favorite written format) to whet your appetite for longer stories. May I recommend http://www.amazon.com/Isaac-Asimov-Complete-Stories-Vol/dp/038541627X/ref=pd_sim_b_1

I'm currently reading Vol.2 of The Collected Stories of Philip K. ****.

Vol. 2 of the Library of America's The Philip K. **** Collection.

For no reason Guyton and Hall's Textbook of Medical Physiology.

Nietzsche: Philosopher, Psychologist, Antichrist by Walter Kaufmann. Also by him, Critique of Religion and Philosophy.

Also for no reason, Discrete Mathematics with Applications by Epp. (great introduction to some of the most interesting aspects of mathematics. No calculus or beyond needed)

Recently started The Oxford Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy and, with little hope of ever reading all of it, The Bible Oxford Commentary.

Battling through Mathematical Logic by Kleene.

and Albert Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus and other essays.

Edited January 27, 2013 by Alvino

[Gillebre]

Nothing was awful, i just found it weird, i guess.

The way the family units were put together, that people took turns babysitting the little kid spirits like everyone grew up in a great big nursery, and how Heavenly Father, Heavenly Mother, and even Jesus really weren't involved in people's lives any more there than they are here.

Are you sure we're talking about the same book? I don't remember any such description of pre-mortal life in the first book, like, at all.

Wrath and Righteousness is an expanded and revised remake of an earlier series written by Chris Stewart titled The Great and the Terrible. Is there a chance you're reading the older series (started in 2002-2003 I think)?

I went over the first 50 pages of the first book in W&R, and I could not find what you're referring to.

[bluebell]

Are you sure we're talking about the same book? I don't remember any such description of pre-mortal life in the first book, like, at all.

Wrath and Righteousness is an expanded and revised remake of an earlier series written by Chris Stewart titled The Great and the Terrible. Is there a chance you're reading the older series (started in 2002-2003 I think)?

I went over the first 50 pages of the first book in W&R, and I could not find what you're referring to.

Yeah, i'm talking about the Great and Terrible series, sorry.

[bluebell]

How would our Heavenly Parents be able to be involved personally in the lives of billions of spirit children?

If i can't answer how they would even be able to have billions of spirit children and then love them all dearly and know them all personally including their strengths and weaknesses, i'm not going to even attempt to make up an answer to that question.

But i definitely believe that they were/are.

[Five Solas]

17th century theologian John Owen, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers - The 1. Necessity 2. Nature, and 3. Meanes of it.

A Christman present from my in-laws. I'll be working on this one for a while

;0)

--Erik

[volgadon]

17th century theologian John Owen, Of the Mortification of Sin in Believers - The 1. Necessity 2. Nature, and 3. Meanes of it.

A Christman present from my in-laws. I'll be working on this one for a while

;0)

--Erik

Interesting.

[Five Solas]

Interesting.

I'll confess--Owen is a lot of work. I'll keep you posted.

:0)

--Erik

[3DOP]

Owen was prolific. I think my volumes are up in the attic. I hope so. While I disagree with him on most things his thought had a lot of influence. Correct me if I am wrong Sola, but was it not John Owen who taught that belief in human free will was an idol of sorts? My memory could be faulty, but I was thinking that he thought that such a belief was incompatible with Christianity and a truly dangerous error.

[Five Solas]

Owen was prolific. I think my volumes are up in the attic. I hope so. While I disagree with him on most things his thought had a lot of influence. Correct me if I am wrong Sola, but was it not John Owen who taught that belief in human free will was an idol of sorts? My memory could be faulty, but I was thinking that he thought that such a belief was incompatible with Christianity and a truly dangerous error.

Good question, 3DOP. I'm just getting into Owen and I don't actually know his perspective on free will (and I don't think this particular book is going there). My personal view aligns with John Calvin concerning "free will"--

This liberty is compatible with our being depraved, the servants of sin, able to do nothing but sin. In this way, then, man is said to have free will, not because he has a free choice of good and evil, but because he acts voluntarily, and not by compulsion. This is perfectly true: but why should so small a matter have been dignified with so proud a title? An admirable freedom! That man is not forced to be the servant of sin, while he is, however, ethelodoulos (a voluntary slave); his will being bound by the fetters of sin.

--Institutes of the Christian Religion, book 2 chapter 2

--Erik

[3DOP]

Good question, 3DOP. I'm just getting into Owen and I don't actually know his perspective on free will (and I don't think this particular book is going there). My personal view aligns with John Calvin concerning "free will"--

This liberty is compatible with our being depraved, the servants of sin, able to do nothing but sin. In this way, then, man is said to have free will, not because he has a free choice of good and evil, but because he acts voluntarily, and not by compulsion. This is perfectly true: but why should so small a matter have been dignified with so proud a title? An admirable freedom! That man is not forced to be the servant of sin, while he is, however, ethelodoulos (a voluntary slave); his will being bound by the fetters of sin.

--Institutes of the Christian Religion, book 2 chapter 2

--Erik

Considering your gift, its good about you being Calvinist. Heh. I thought maybe you were LDS and your parents were trying to convert you with Owen! Well and concisely stated by Calvin. Not that I agree.

--Rory