Breaking the silence is hard to do. I find that I get into patterns and when I haven’t done something in a while (like write on this blog), it’s not easy to return to it. I think of this blog as a place where some of the “spillover” of my thinking can occur. The lack of writing here could suggest that I’m not thinking much these days, but that’s not true.
I was motivated to write tonight in order to suggest a few good books I’ve read recently, but before I get to that I might just give a brief summary of where things are at in my life. Since I passed my exams in April, I have stepped aside from all PhD work in order to complete a major revision and expansion of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands. I had planned to finish that by Labor Day, and then by Christmas. Now it looks like it will be March before the work is finished and I begin research for the dissertation. The family is doing well and we are blessed in many ways.
In the last few months I’ve read some excellent books that I would commend to you with a few brief words.
Darlene Deibler Rose, Evidence Not Seen – the autobiography of a missionary who spent four long years in a Japanese internment camp during World War II. It is a very powerful presentation of great suffering and even greater faith. I highly recommend it.
Eric Metaxes, Amazing Grace – this biography of William Wilberforce and his campaign to end slavery in the British Empire is extremely well written. If you ‘re like I was, you probably have no interest in reading a whole book on Wilberforce. But if you ‘re like me, you ‘ll have trouble putting this one down. The author not only presents Wilberforce’s strong faith but shows how one’s beliefs should shape one’s public life.
Ken Duncan, In the Footsteps of Paul – this one is unlike the others, but I liked it so much that after returning the book to the library, I ordered my own copy. I wrote more about it here.
Lois Tverberg, Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus – this book comes out next month, but I can tell you from an advance copy that it is outstanding. If you want to be challenged in your faith at the same time you learn fascinating insights into the culture of the time of Jesus, this is the book to get. I read the whole thing on a flight to Israel and couldn’t wait to email the author to tell her how much I loved it.
Paul Maier, Pontius Pilate – whoever failed to tell me about Maier’s historical fiction 20 years ago is on my black list. I love historical fiction, and it doesn’t get any better than when the historical time period is biblical, but somehow I didn’t get the memo. Maier’s historical fiction is particularly good because he is a historian by profession. I see that the book is still in print 44 years after it was first published. (Note: I recommended his Flames of Rome two years ago.)
In the last couple of months, I’ve read some other very good books but they weren’t quite “5-star” for me.
J. R. R. Tolkein, The Hobbit
Mosab Hassan Yousef, Son of Hamas
Ronny Reich, Excavating the City of David
Duby Tal, Moni Haramati, and Shimon Gibson, Flights into Biblical Archaeology
Ed Moll and Tim Chester, Gospel-Centered Family
Good luck on finishing your Bible Lands stuff soon! :)
Thanks for writing again.
Todd-
I’ve not quite finished “Amazing Grace,” but I’ve loved every minute of it. William Wilberforce is one of my top heroes of the faith. Much of his life and drive, and as you’ve pointed out, his faith shaping his public life, have helped shape my desires to pursue a career in law. I completely agree with you about this being a book hard to put down- quite well written. Once I finish this one (and I’ve been reading it off and on for 2 years- seeing as I don’t get much time to read as a teacher), I plan on reading Metaxes’ “Eric Bonhoffer.” Have you read this?
P.S. After living in Israel for as long as you did, what is your opinion of “Son of Hamas”? Did it cause you to see Israel any differently? Or the “Palestinian Problem” any differently?
Ilena,
I’m not Todd, but . . .
Son of Hamas isn’t a bad book, though it has been criticized for geographical mistakes. That has been used by some to say that he is a fraud.
Within the West Bank believing community, the author scarred his own reputation by combining his testimony with the admission that he collaborated with Israel. Many, perhaps most, believers in the WB try to distance themselves from him as much as possible to avoid the Muslim accusation that converts from Islam are also collaborators.
Craig Dunning
Craig- thank you for your input. So you’re saying that among believers in the WB, there is an “anti-Israel” philosophy (for lack of a better term)?
Ilena,
It’s probably a little more complicated than “anti-Israel” philosophy. Having said that, there is a wide-spread “anti-occupation” philosophy and/or replacement theology among WB believers.
Among the minority of believers in the WB that are not embracing some form of replacement theology, they are very careful in both the language they use and those with whom they use it.
As it relates to Son of Hamas, even those who personally (and VERY privately) don’t have a problem with a modern state of Israel can’t say that publicly. The Muslim majority doesn’t take kindly to public support of a modern “Zionist state.” Thus, the effort to distance themselves from a “collaborator” and guilt by association.
Collaborators generally don’t have a long shelf life in the WB.
Ilena,
Craig’s comments are more helpful than mine on this subject. I did learn some things from Son of Hamas though wouldn’t say that it changed my overall views. For instance, the author describes some Israeli brutality; that doesn’t surprise me. I think one thing I was most surprised by was how little his father appeared interested in politics, at least initially. And to see Muslims apparently more committed to their faith than to a nationalist cause.
It is too bad that this book has hurt believers in the WB.
I have not yet read the biography of Bonhoeffer but I look forward to doing so one day.
Thanks, Todd & Craig. You’ve both given me some new and thought provoking insights to mull over. :)
Thank you Todd for recommendations, was looking for some great titles, this is perfect! Blessings.