My Books, My Companions
As I’ve been transferring books from one office to the other, I haven’t built my “Ten Most Influential Books of My Life” list.
However, I was struck again by how much these books meant to me at the time I read them:
C. S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters
G. E. Ladd, A Theology of the New Testament (I’ve read better since, but at the time it rocked my neat little world)
Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles (and almost everything he wrote before and after that)
Walter Brueggemann, Finally Comes the Poet (ditto)
Richard Hays, The Moral Vision of the New Testament (double ditto)
I’m sure more will follow as I keep moving stuff.
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Looking forward to having this number at this year’s Zoe Conference. Not sure if the original group can be there. I’m hoping that David, Melissa, and Amy will do it. (David, you’ll have to work on your panache to perform the moves that begin about 1:58!)
Oh… my… Mike, there are just some things we can’t unsee! Why would you do this to us, your loyal readers? Why, Mike, why?!?
What, no _Jesus and the Victory of God_? I mean, given that you have an entire shelf devoted to the Bishop…I just finished my first trip through it. Having just recently taken my first class on exegesis under Willis and Thompson, I am in total awe; the exegetical thoroughness in _Victory_ is an unreachable standard.
Onward, now, to _The Resurrection of the Son of God_. I can’t wait.
qb
QB . . . this is just a beginning list. My Wright selection today would have to be The Climax of the Covenant — my first taste of the writings of NTW. By the way, CALL ME when you come to town for a short course. We’ll find some fresh guac.
Phil – Sorry, man. Expunge that image.
That was cold blooded – mixing enticing book information with that video. Ugh.
No, never mind…
“This is pretty much the worst video ever made.”
Are you sure that wasn’t an SNL sketch w/Amy Poelher, Will Ferrell & Tina Fey???
Oh, Jeanna, that’s hilarious. Diane and I are howling as we consider the possibilities.
And yes, I know that this circulated several months ago but The Way International pulled it off YouTube before I could get it up. I’m guessing it’ll be down pretty quickly again.
Mike, RE: the guac, does the offer stand if a venture into Abilene does not pertain to the M. A. in H&T? If/when you get a chance, e-mail the appropriate contact info to queue_ball@juno.com. Samuel’s going to be at HSU in a few weeks for 8th-grade football camp, and I’m gonna hang out in ABI throughout, probably in Brown Library so I can absorb some of Churchill’s brilliance and kindness by osmosis.
People keep sneaking extenders into the guac I get at various places…I mean, who in the world wants to taste a mayo note on a tortilla chip or a soft taco? Good grief.
qb
Incidentally, my Father’s Day present this year is an all-expense-paid trip to the Renovare conference in San Antonio next week, with Willard, Peterson, Foster, Lucado, Ortberg, et al. Anyone else going from around here in cyberspace? And where is the best guac on the Riverwalk?
qb
LOLOLOLOL on the video. That guy in the middle looks like a cross between Travolta (”Pulp Fiction”) and Joel Osteen.
+1 ugh.
qb
I’m in the middle of reading The Screwtape Letters for the first time right now. Really good.
qb – Definitely Boudro’s: http://www.boudros.com/boudros/. We have people from Highland going to the conference, but I regret that I won’t be there to break bread (avocado) with you. Will email you.
My husband and I have been watching this all night. We can’t stop!
Mike,
That video is the best argument in favor of liturgical worship that I have ever seen !
Best wishes for your transition.
What, no Dave Barry?!!
The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness …and a funky fresh beat.
The video…my worst nightmare!!
Enjoy reading your book titles. Stopping to read favorite passages can really slow down the job of moving books.
I can’t believe I watched the whole thing!
The “Truth” keyboard player was kind of a gospel-ish Sly Stone. I think Blue like Jazz would still be on my book list.
Mike, I hope Henri Nouwen finds a place on your top ten
Qb, If you want Mexican food Mi Tierra & Bakery is a great place to eat and their Special Breackfast with ranchero sauce and Carne de Res Guisada is served 24 hours. And you can always get a side of guacamole while listening to the Mariachis.
Three words: Will Farrell Movie!
My favorite (other than the funky fresh moves starting at 1:58) is when the ladies sing their little dity of “the renewed mind is the key at about 2:18. Cracks me up and makes me shake my head all at the same time.
Great suggestion, Clint, thanks much. qb
Y’know, I hate to say it, but between episodes of ROTFLOL, I have to say that the guy is pretty good. I just can’t believe that video was recorded as recently as 2007. No offense to any of you ladies who do you hair like the gal on the right, but…why *do* you do your hair that way? I mean, still? (And precisely when was it a great idea?)
BTW, The Way International appears to have pulled the video from its web site. I can’t help but think it’s because of all of the ridicule.
Sore from the side-splitting laughter,
qb
My side hurts from laughing at that video. I feel so sorry for the “Will Farrell” dancer. You just know he’s dying to be one of Janet Jackson or Madonna’s back up dancers, but has to get his moves out there any way he can! Bless his heart…
Mike,
I looked at your list of books and thought about how certain books have been so influential to me in my thinking. (A few of them overlap with yours by the way–Peterson, Bruggemann, Lewis).
Its funny but I can remember where I was when I read certain influential books. I recall sitting outside of a St. Louis hotel very early one morning while my family slept. This was twenty years ago but I can remember being outside, the early morning air, and the book that was riveting.
I wish the best in the move to your new office.
That is just so wrong! Unless, of course, this is SNL.
Mike, I’ll match your video and raise you one “Jesus Is A Friend of Mine” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-NOZU2iPA8).
Yes, I know. It needs the authenticity of steel drums.
qb—I love reading all your comments on Mike’s blog, but your “hair-do” comments I find particularly amusing, assuming that’s really your hair in your picture!!
ee, LOL!
Actually, my midlife crisis is officially over, and my hair is short again. I’ve given up on being the reincarnation of that great musical visionary, Ronnie Van Zant.
Turn it up,
qb
that video left me feeling a little creeped out. they were way to serious.
I could echo many of the other comments regarding the video. It was a hoot! Since the subject is books, I am curious to know how many (anyone?) that follow this blog have read a systematic theology, and if so, how did it change your thinking and behavior?
Thanks for the book list. I hope you mention some more too.
You know, to those ignorant of Zoe (that would be me), I thought that video was from the conference. It isn’t, right? You see, I thought that was David, Amy and Melissa.
unbelievable!