Vatican II & the Aggiornamento
Apparently, the Roman Catholic Church places little comparative weight upon the authority of Scripture as the apostolic, prophetic, and patriarchal witness to worship, the covenant proclamations, and obligations of God’s people. It emphasizes tradition, philosophy, …
Consider the Lilies
Reading “Consider the Lilies” from beginning to end, the reader quickly senses that it is meant to be more than a book about anxiety—it is an invitation to reorient the heart toward Christ. Ardavanis writes …
Biography: Elon Musk
Today I completed Walter Isaacson’s book on Elon Musk, a monolithic 671-page biography that charts the ascent of one of the most dynamic minds of the modern era. More than a chronicle of innovation, the …
Practicing the Way
Having read “Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become Like Him. Do as He Did” by John Mark Comer (WaterBrook, 2024, hardcover, ISBN 978-0-593-44615-9), I found the book to be both theologically coherent and pastorally …
The Saints’ Everlasting Rest
Today, I fully completed The Saints’ Everlasting Rest by Richard Baxter, edited by Tim Cooper. This is a 2022 abridgment of The Saint’s Everlasting Rest and a restoration of devotion more than an act of …
Gentle Words Spoken
To speak more gently—truly and enduringly—requires not simply a change in language but a transformation of attitude, presence, and intent. Gentleness in speech is neither weakness nor avoidance of truth; it is truth clothed in …
First Reading: Apocrypha (NRSV)
On July 12, 2024, I completed the first reading of the full Deuterocanon (Apocrypha) from cover to cover. This was the entire collection of books, which includes some that appear within the Catholic and Orthodox …
The Fellowship of the Ring by Tolkien
Today I completed The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien (407 pages). Unlike The Silmarillion, which unfolds as a record of origins and long decline, this book begins in a settled land whose boundaries …
The Hobbit by Tolkien
“The Hobbit,” or “There and Back Again,” written by J.R.R. Tolkien and first published in 1937, is a timeless work in the fantasy genre, offering a richly imagined world filled with memorable characters, profound themes, …
The Silmarillion by Tolkien
Today I completed The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien (358 pages, ISBN: 978-0008433949). When I first began reading, I quickly realized that it was not a conventional story, but a vast record of origins and destinies …
Dune by Herbert
Frank Herbert’s Dune first impressed me with the sheer depth of its world. Arrakis is not just a desert planet but a complete ecosystem that controls every choice people make. Its sandstorms, water scarcity, and …
On Orthodox Theology
Today, I finished reading A Basic Guide to Eastern Orthodox Theology by Dr. Eve Tibbs. Published by Baker Academic in 2021 (ISBN: 9781540960719), this book provides a structured and patristically rooted presentation of the theological …
On the Priesthood
The first book in the Popular Patristics series is entitled “Six Books on the Priesthood.” Today, I finished this book to gain a deeper understanding of Chrysostom’s views on pastoral and priestly ministry and to …
The Magician’s Nephew
Today I completed The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis, the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia series, though it was the sixth to be published. As a foundational work, it serves not merely as …
The Practice of Presence
Today, I completed a book about an affective mystic who loved God in every moment, with all his heart, and encouraged others to do the same, wherever they were and whatever they were doing. That …
A Map of Coherence
This table is a comprehensive doctrinal comparison chart that systematically evaluates a wide range of Christian theological themes according to their creedal affirmation, doctrinal tier, alignment with Scripture, key supporting verses, and a concise explanatory …
Don Quixote by Cervantes
Today I completed the book Don Quixote, having followed its long, wayward path across more than a thousand pages. The book—written in two parts, in 1605 and 1615 by Miguel de Cervantes—is often claimed to …
Reflections on Renewal
This post provides a 30-day journey of renewal by repentance with scripture, prayer, reflection, and application for each day. If you would like, check off each item daily as you progress in humility and grace …
