Telos

Have you ever read about those strange cultures that live in close proximity with extended families and share the daily toils of life together. While admittedly idealizng the positive aspects of such living, I find the idea of close connection a cozy choice. Yet I am hundreds, in some cases thousands of miles away from friends and family. Hopefully "Telos" will erase the miles.

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Location: Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States

I am a father of four children. I recently left my position as a pastor and am beginning a new chapter in my life.

Saturday, June 10, 2006

Care to recommend a book?

I met a gentleman tonight, a friend of my mom's boyfriend. He is a lawyer, loves learning and his next hobby is going to be to learn about spirituality and religion. According to his testimony, he believes in God and Christ...he tells people his religion is morality. He is astounded by the immensity, complexity and creativity of creation. For him, man's ability to think and question and ponder is argument enough for a higher power. He admittedly doesn't know much in this area. He is very turned off by people who think they are right, have a monopoly on the truth. He asked for any leads on books that might be helpful. I suggested Mere Christianity, a biography on Luther (legal mind), and a book by John Dickson "If I were God, I'd make myself clearer". Could you recommend any other books?

Your prayers would be valuable as well.

Thanks!

14 Comments:

Blogger Steph said...

Velvet elvis by Rob Bell is really good, I would recommend it to anyone interested in spirituality - it points to God without ignoring or bad talking other beliefs

10:32 PM  
Blogger Erskine said...

If he's as academic as it sounds, look for things by Placher. His "Philosophy of Religion" is good. If the man wants to begin with religion and spirituality as a hobby, this book will be right up his alley. Of course, it happens to be written by Christians who understand that logical philosophy necessarily ends up in the person of Jesus Christ.

Hallelujah forever!

11:50 PM  
Blogger me said...

I would add a dito to Velvet Elvis.

Lynn- I suppose its impossible to find a book written by a non-Christian that ends up in the person of Jesus Christ because by the end they've become a Christian (Josh McDowell and Lee Stobel)...

I'm trying to find a 'self help' book for a friend that isn't "Christian" (both the former and the latter). She's searching for answers outside the Bible...

5:01 AM  
Blogger JHW said...

Steph:Thanks for the recommendation...sounds like quite a book.

erskine: thanks, sounds like a helpful author.

heidi: thanks heidi, i actually recomended Lee Strobel.

What is your friend looking for help with?

8:30 AM  
Blogger Joelle Lynn said...

Habits of the Mind
By James W. Sire
Intellectual Life as a Christian Calling
and

Blue Like Jazz
by Donald Miller
Non religous thoughts on Christian Spiritaulity

Matt has read both of these.

3:50 PM  
Blogger Jason said...

He would love "the story we find ourselves in" by Brian McLaren (in fact the "new kind of Christian trilogy"...

ALso, anything by Henri Nouwen or Brennan Manning...speaks to the heart

7:44 AM  
Blogger Kris Gowdy said...

Joe, this is a bit late in the conversation but I would recommend Blue LIke Jazz by Donald Miller and God.com by James Alexander Langteaux.

Both are books about guy's own exploration, question, struggles, they are both unique in their approach compared to other books, very honest and poignant.

4:51 PM  
Blogger JHW said...

Thanks for all your suggestions!

7:10 AM  
Blogger Tanya said...

Hey Joe! It's Tanya from BBC. How are you doing? Congrats to you & Karen on your engagement & your wedding this Saturday!
Like Gowdy suggested...I, as well, would suggest Blue Like Jazz! Miller is an honest writer with many great insights.
Blessings to you my friend!

1:37 AM  
Blogger JHW said...

Hi Tanya,

Thanks for the congratulations, the day is almost here...exciting!

That seems to be a popular book, I plan on reading it soon myself.

Blessings on you and yours!

11:36 AM  
Blogger matthew said...

Congrats you two :)

10:51 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Well, I was just perusing through your blog there Reverend Joseph Haych, and I thought I would add a bit to this discussion. There is a book that I am quite interested in, but haven't read myself. I would check it out and then possibly recommend it. I would check it out myself, but lacking a job means lacking moolah! Anyway, The book is called The Art of Happiness, b the Dalai Lama. I know it's not necessarily in the realm of Christianity, but it sounds as if he doesn't necessarily just want Christian authors. Well, I suppose I should put myself in here as anonymous so I don't get lynched!

9:35 AM  
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