Lisa’s Comments (group member since Dec 03, 2015)

Lisa’s comments from the DSPC Book Group group.

How's the reading coming? Anyone? I'm a little late starting this month but will begin tonight. Perhaps it is the title that scares me a little? Pagels is a historian and I see a lot of scripture in the book... more tomorrow.

Lisa

DSPC Book Group - this is our June book. I have not read this book, but it sounds interesting and perhaps a bit scary. It discusses a subject we are not always comfortable discussing - satan. It is a historical book and should bring a lot of discussion to the group.

Please tell your friends about our book group - I would love to have more discussion. I will be posting comments and questions weekly; I hope you will also.

Happy reading,
Lisa

Elaine Pagels is an exceptional author and skilled interpreter of Christian history. The "Origin of Satan" is an excellent book for laypeople trying to understand the evolution of one piece of the Christian paradigm, namely the cosmic battle between good and evil, and the vilification of the Jews in the gospels.

The book is organized in three principal sections. The first part dissects the four gospels in the order they were written, and delineates the relationships between the authors, their social context, and their thinking with regard to Satan and all things/people evil. Among the most helpful recognitions in this part of the book is that as the gospels evolved, Pilate and the Romans grew more and more "innocent" (the Christians were trying to make a distinction between themselves and the troublesome dissidents of Palestine), and the Jews grew more and more "responsible" for Jesus' crucifixion, thus "under the influence of Satan." Much of this awareness is found in the recognition that Jews in the Roman Empire were torn between the social elite who were for the most part the priesthood and the wealthy, and the poor fundamentalists who saw the privileges of the empire in opposition to the covenants with God.

The second section of the book describes the growing rift between the pagans of the Roman Empire and the growing Christian sect. What is most helpful in this section is comparing the writings of such pagan minds as Celsus and Marcus Arelius with the early writings of Justin, Origen and others. In the Roman Empire, there was no greater virtue than that of "citizenship" in the empire, and the strength of the empire was assured by performing the ritual obligations to the Gods. The Christians saw themselves not as citizens of Rome, but of Heaven, and their rituals ran counter to those of the Pagans. Naturally, this was threatening to the pagan majority, and resulted in the wholesale slaughter of Christians who wouldn't cede to the authority of the Roman pantheon. Satan, of course, was identified with the pagans.

The last section of the book discusses the growing dissent within the early church itself, and the identification of Satan with heretics from within. For me personally this was the most engaging part of the book, as it was SO telling in terms of the evolution of the control paradigm so apparent in Western religion to this day. Reading the writings of Tertullian in particular, compared with the gnostic writers of the same time period, is incredibly enlightening!
In spite of the title, this book is in no way "dark." In fact, it shines light in so many dank dark corners of our history that it is truly a bright spot on my bookshelf and in my mind. This is a "Highly Recommend" book!

The Origin of Satan: How Christians Demonized Jews, Pagans and Heretics

Good Morning,

I just downloaded my book and am looking forward to starting it tonight. Many years ago, Barbara Ehrenreich wrote "Nickled and Dimed" it was an undercover book about living on minimum waged jobs - it opened my eyes. I am looking forward to this book - as I am sure we all have stories about our faith journey. Time to share...

I grew up in a northern Baptist church (not like the Baptist churches here in Texas); we were very involved, attended Sunday school and church every Sunday, my dad was the treasurer for many years, my mom sung in the choir, and we took care of the parsonage lawn. I memorized lots of scripture and was baptized by full immersion. By the age of 13, I understood that I had sinned and was going to hell (I guessed I missed the part of forgiveness). And my faith journey took many paths from there.

As an adult, I question the scare tactic of "you sin and you will go to hell" that I was raised with, but I am grateful that I had a faith foundation because it carried me through many trying times. My dad's memorial service was held in that small baptist church two months ago--it was the first time in more than 20 years I had been in that church. Wow, the memories that came flooding back.

Lisa

Yes, let's just make it online. I can keep up with online but I don't want to be in charge of monthly face-to-face. If someone else wants to host a meeting at the church, I will certainly attend. Or even is someone wants to host in their home. I will change the goodreads if you will change the bulletin so it just reads an online community. How do we get our books posted on facebook? You can change your good read settings to send you an email daily or weekly.

Lisa

Happy May All!!

Time to move on to next book...you can finish Bonhoeffer in between. This book will be a much different read than the last.

Barbara Ehrenreich is one of the most important thinkers of our time. Educated as a scientist, she is an author, journalist, activist, and advocate for social justice. In LIVING WITH A WILD GOD, she recounts her quest-beginning in childhood-to find "the Truth" about the universe and everything else: What's really going on? Why are we here? In middle age, she rediscovered the journal she had kept during her tumultuous adolescence, which records an event so strange, so cataclysmic, that she had never, in all the intervening years, written or spoken about it to anyone. It was the kind of event that people call a "mystical experience"-and, to a steadfast atheist and rationalist, nothing less than shattering.

This book should stir up some conversation! Be sure to post any questions, comments, suggestions, ideas, concerns, agreements, disagreements, etc..

Happy Reading!!
Lisa

Ok - I say NO meeting tonight. I have only heard from Rita and it is supposed to storm about the same time we are supposed to meet.

I will do better at posting with the next book. Invite people to join our group. We don't have to meet monthly, we can do this all online - whatever works for people...but I don't want to be the only one posting questions, etc. :)

Lisa

Dee and Doug - can you meet tonight?

Happy Monday!
We are scheduled to meet tomorrow at the church tomorrow (Tuesday, 4-26-16) @ 6:30 to discuss the Dietrich Bonhoeffer book. I have not finished the book, but I am available to meet tomorrow if anyone else wants to come. Please post on Goodreads if you are coming tomorrow.

Our May book will be back to lighter reading: Living with a Wild God by Barbara Ehrenreich.

Lisa

Rita,

I am actually lagging behind. I am going to try your Chapter a day plan. I have enjoyed what I have read so far... but I am not thinking about it all day, so I haven't eagerly read it every day.

Anyone else reading?

Lisa

Happy Spring Break Readers!!

How is the book going?

Eric Metaxas is the author, and I find his writing remarkable. Extremely descriptive and what I would assume is historically accurate. I found an interview with him and here is one of the questions they asked Mr. Metaxas - I pose it to you:

Albert Einstein was famous for saying that a “foolish faith in authority” was a core weakness in German society. German writers like Heinrich Mann, Hermann Hesse, and Frank Wedekind depict an educational system designed to break the individual’s will and make social conformists. But Dietrich Bonhoeffer emerged from this milieu unbent and with a strong contrarian streak. What is it about Bonhoeffer’s personality and upbringing that built such a determined opponent of the Nazi state?

Good morning! Happy March 1st!

We are starting a new book today: Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas. I have had this book on my bookshelf for a couple years and was too intimidated to read it. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a theologian and I learned about him while I was working at the Seminary--but I think I never read the book because I wasn't sure I would "get it." By putting the book on the reading list, I knew I would have to face my fears and read the book. I don't know, but I suspect this book is not as easy reading as the first two this year. So... I hope you will explore this book with me.

The calendar would have us meeting on Tuesday, March 29th - I don't know if we want to meet in the middle and discuss half of the book or just save it until April 26th and discuss the whole book. I will look for your guidance.

Here are some questions that Bonhoeffer asked himself; perhaps we should focus on these same questions:

* What is the church?
* What are the differences between religion and spirituality?
* What is the church's role in the war, and in politics, and in ministry to the oppressed?
* Is it possible to "sin" while in strict obedience to God?
* How does morality intersect with legality, and what is grace?
* Is just not doing wrong enough, or aren't we called to go out and do good?
* What is the proper relationship between church and state?

I look forward to reading this book and our discussions.

Happy Reading,
Lisa

Tomorrow, Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Is anyone going to be able to make the group meeting on Tuesday? I can be there, but if no one is able to come, I will NOT hurry up from San Marcos. Let me know by noon tomorrow.

Thanks,
Lisa

Unspoken: Bathsheba

The story of Bathsheba and David was a long tangled mess! Here are a couple questions:

1. Where do temptations come from and where do they lead?
2. When you make wrong choices, what kind of pattern do you fall into?
3. What impact have your choices had on others?
4. What impact have other people's choices had on your life?

See you Tuesday!
Lisa

Another life-changing event in Unshaken was Ruth's marriage to Boaz. What faith Ruth had in a God she had not known her whole life. This reminds me that God chooses all kinds (actually, all of these stories remind me of this).

Life-changing event for me--I had a fatal car accident when I was 18, my life spiraled out of control for about a year after that, and then one day sitting in a hospital God spoke to me (not literally) through the taking off and landing of life flight--telling me he was there to save my life. I just had to give it to him. This was difficult because I was raised with an understanding of a harsh punishing God and was just learning about the loving forgiving God. But through God's amazing grace...here I am.

Good morning Readers!!

Unshaken - Ruth!

Ruth is a story many of us have studied or heard at church... Francine Rivers adds to the story, making it come to life. Here are some questions to ponder:

There are many life-changing events in Unshaken; what are some of them?

Share one of your own life-changing events and who helped you through that event?

This story includes several incidents of people help those less fortunate. What opportunities have you had to help others?

People describe Boaz as someone with a strong character, virtuous, and giving. How would people describe your character?

I hope everyone is enjoying the book!! Please post! We will meet on February 23.
Lisa

Janet, the book is "A Lineage of Grace." By Francine Rivers. The book is an easy read, wonderfully written.

Hope all is well with you.

I hope everyone is enjoying the book - please post any thoughts, ideas, questions, concerns.

Rahab: Unashamed

How did Rahab demonstrate her faith?
What have you learned about yourself from this story?
How have God's ways become your ways?

Here are a couple questions to ponder. Feel free to write from these prompts or something else on your mind regarding Rahab's story.

Lisa

Let's look a little more at Tamar. As I read her story, I was amazed at her faith, her loyalty, her strength, and her determination. All characteristics/values that I would want to have. Obviously our lives are different in 2016; however, we have all faced struggles. Please feel free to share a personal struggle and how you emerged from it. What values do you see in Tamar that you would like people to remember you as having?