The Circle Trilogy, by Ted Dekker
Although this is technically three books titled Black, Red, and White, the copy I read was bound in one hardcover volume. Additionally, the first two books end with cliffhangers, so the trilogy is properly named; it is indeed only one story. Or perhaps I should say two stories.
The story begins with a man in Denver who falls asleep and wakes up in another world. If he is asleep here, he is in the other world, and when he sleeps there, he wakes in this world. Additionally, the other world is actually still earth, but 2000 years in the future. This means that if he learns the history of events on earth, he can wake up here in 2010 and know what is going to happen in the future. Which is essentially what happens. He learns of a coming apocalypse and works to avert it. Additionally, crisis and chaos are about to break out in the other world as well. So, it is essentially two stories happening simultaneously to one character.
Although I admit the time line and storyline made my head spin at times, and occasionally made me feel as if I was watching the life of a man with multiple personality disorder, Ted Dekker has once again woven a captivating story which I found difficult to put down, even when I was frustrated with the time travel element (I really don't handle time travel that well). If this book were a movie it would be the Matrix, except that the world Neo crosses into would be fanciful Narnia with friendly animals and biblical metaphor. Cross that with any Asian action film utilizing "wire-fu," add a Tom Clancy-like politically-motivated apocalypse, and give it the time line from the Terminator movies, and you have the Circle Trilogy.
I would recommend this book to pretty much everyone. There is something in it for all age groups and walks of life, for people who want entertainment, and for people who have questions about life.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity
Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity, by Lauren F. Winner
This book is not like the normal "Don't have sex before marriage" books. Many times, I find that the authors of those types of books have been good little boys and girls all their lives and while I'm sure they have valid points, their words often come across as repeating a mantra instead of being a warning sign put up by someone who has "been there, done that." This author stands out in that she has done things in her past which she later came to believe were sinful, and boldly confesses what she did and how it affected her life.
Additionally, this book promotes the concept of chastity over purity or virginity. The difference is that virginity is a state of being, which once altered, can never be restored. Chastity, on the other hand, is a lifestyle. Something that is chosen each and every day. Chastity is something that must be constantly on one's mind and maintained.
The author maintains that many of the reasons given by believers (collectively as "the Church") for reserving sex for marriage are actually quite inadequate. She dedicates two whole chapters highlighting the misinformation we have today about sex: lies our culture tells about sex, and lies the church tells about sex.
This book is not an easy read; the author is well educated and it is evident within her writing. The book is gratifying in that she has an expansive vocabulary and she is willing to use it without second-guessing herself, which I feel presents her as she is, without a facade. The book is also organized as if it is a book of philosophy with each chapter building on the foundation laid by the next, so that in the end we are presented with a relatively flawless argument. However, like all philosophy, this book can be argued back and forth when discussed by the right philosopher. I am not argumentative and choose not to channel Descartes in my discussion of this book.
What I find refreshing is that Ms. Winner chooses not to base her argument on the writings of Paul, because of the ambiguity of the translation of the original Greek which is highly debated in many churches. Paul's writings augment her argument, but the foundation lies in the Old Testament and God's vision for what married life should look like, instead of Paul's tendency to promote proper moral behavior with less emphasis on a rightly-ordered sexual life within a spiritual journey. Throughout the book, and specifically in chapter 7, the author discusses the idea of sex within marriage and chastity outside of marriage as a spiritual discipline, which are on the same level as training yourself to do daily devotions, prayer, learning forgiveness or mercy, worship, and fasting.
Another interesting topic is the idea that sex is not a private event. Sex leads to parenthood, which is where the future generation learns to interact with society. It is the basis for all our cultures and societies, therefore everyone has a responsibility to society to make good choices regarding sex and to be held accountable for their actions by those who are affected by the society or culture (everyone). In this way, chastity becomes a civic duty and a lifestyle, in the same way that marriage is viewed communally and as a lifestyle.
I would recommend this book to anyone with questions about the morality of sex, anyone who is tired of "the Church's" pat answers about why sex is wrong, and anyone interested in a look at sexual ethics from an educational, rather than religious, standpoint.
This book is not like the normal "Don't have sex before marriage" books. Many times, I find that the authors of those types of books have been good little boys and girls all their lives and while I'm sure they have valid points, their words often come across as repeating a mantra instead of being a warning sign put up by someone who has "been there, done that." This author stands out in that she has done things in her past which she later came to believe were sinful, and boldly confesses what she did and how it affected her life.
Additionally, this book promotes the concept of chastity over purity or virginity. The difference is that virginity is a state of being, which once altered, can never be restored. Chastity, on the other hand, is a lifestyle. Something that is chosen each and every day. Chastity is something that must be constantly on one's mind and maintained.
The author maintains that many of the reasons given by believers (collectively as "the Church") for reserving sex for marriage are actually quite inadequate. She dedicates two whole chapters highlighting the misinformation we have today about sex: lies our culture tells about sex, and lies the church tells about sex.
This book is not an easy read; the author is well educated and it is evident within her writing. The book is gratifying in that she has an expansive vocabulary and she is willing to use it without second-guessing herself, which I feel presents her as she is, without a facade. The book is also organized as if it is a book of philosophy with each chapter building on the foundation laid by the next, so that in the end we are presented with a relatively flawless argument. However, like all philosophy, this book can be argued back and forth when discussed by the right philosopher. I am not argumentative and choose not to channel Descartes in my discussion of this book.
What I find refreshing is that Ms. Winner chooses not to base her argument on the writings of Paul, because of the ambiguity of the translation of the original Greek which is highly debated in many churches. Paul's writings augment her argument, but the foundation lies in the Old Testament and God's vision for what married life should look like, instead of Paul's tendency to promote proper moral behavior with less emphasis on a rightly-ordered sexual life within a spiritual journey. Throughout the book, and specifically in chapter 7, the author discusses the idea of sex within marriage and chastity outside of marriage as a spiritual discipline, which are on the same level as training yourself to do daily devotions, prayer, learning forgiveness or mercy, worship, and fasting.
Another interesting topic is the idea that sex is not a private event. Sex leads to parenthood, which is where the future generation learns to interact with society. It is the basis for all our cultures and societies, therefore everyone has a responsibility to society to make good choices regarding sex and to be held accountable for their actions by those who are affected by the society or culture (everyone). In this way, chastity becomes a civic duty and a lifestyle, in the same way that marriage is viewed communally and as a lifestyle.
I would recommend this book to anyone with questions about the morality of sex, anyone who is tired of "the Church's" pat answers about why sex is wrong, and anyone interested in a look at sexual ethics from an educational, rather than religious, standpoint.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Thirteenth Tale
The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield
Although a modern novel, this book seems to be styled after the 19th century gothic novels that are mentioned in its pages. It really reads like one of the old classics, and I wonder why it is not yet a movie.
The plot is somewhat complicated, but is this: Margaret Lea works in a second-hand bookshop owned by her father and has known books all her life. However, she's never dealt with modern fiction, so she is surprised when a famous author contacts her to be her biographer. Adding to the surprise is that every newspaper interviewer who has asked about her life is given a different story, and questions arise about why the author has decided finally to share her story.
This author, Vida Winter, is known for publishing a book of twelve re-fashioned fairy tales, however in the original publication the title of the book problaimed it to be thirteen. Ever since then, the public has wondered about the thirteenth tale.
If the thirteenth tale is actually the story of her early life, then it involves death in childbirth, grief, incest, illegitimate-or-maybe-not children, rape, a ghost, a governess, a mansion in decay, more death, more illegitimate children, and a horrible fire. I'd love to share more, but I don't think I can without spoilers. The story is very intriguing, and while the reader may always have some kind of guess as to where the author is going with the plot, the author is always one step ahead, and merely leading you to be just where she wants you. At the same time that Margaret Lea has an "AHA" moment, the reader also has one, or perhaps a few moments later. All the pieces suddenly come together, and you realize the clues have been there all along, throughout the entire story, but you have no idea why you didn't piece it together before this.
It was quite a fascinating read, and I would suggest it to anyone who likes a good plot, a good ghost story, 19th century literature, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or anything written by Austen or a Bronte for that matter.
Although a modern novel, this book seems to be styled after the 19th century gothic novels that are mentioned in its pages. It really reads like one of the old classics, and I wonder why it is not yet a movie.
The plot is somewhat complicated, but is this: Margaret Lea works in a second-hand bookshop owned by her father and has known books all her life. However, she's never dealt with modern fiction, so she is surprised when a famous author contacts her to be her biographer. Adding to the surprise is that every newspaper interviewer who has asked about her life is given a different story, and questions arise about why the author has decided finally to share her story.
This author, Vida Winter, is known for publishing a book of twelve re-fashioned fairy tales, however in the original publication the title of the book problaimed it to be thirteen. Ever since then, the public has wondered about the thirteenth tale.
If the thirteenth tale is actually the story of her early life, then it involves death in childbirth, grief, incest, illegitimate-or-maybe-not children, rape, a ghost, a governess, a mansion in decay, more death, more illegitimate children, and a horrible fire. I'd love to share more, but I don't think I can without spoilers. The story is very intriguing, and while the reader may always have some kind of guess as to where the author is going with the plot, the author is always one step ahead, and merely leading you to be just where she wants you. At the same time that Margaret Lea has an "AHA" moment, the reader also has one, or perhaps a few moments later. All the pieces suddenly come together, and you realize the clues have been there all along, throughout the entire story, but you have no idea why you didn't piece it together before this.
It was quite a fascinating read, and I would suggest it to anyone who likes a good plot, a good ghost story, 19th century literature, Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, or anything written by Austen or a Bronte for that matter.
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