« May 2006 | Main | July 2006 »

June 19, 2006

Summer Reading List

Following below are 6 books that I had on my reading list for school over the last 2 semesters that I found to be the cream of the crop and 2 other favorites that I can't pass up mentioning:

Chance or the Dance - Thomas Howard

This is, as the book's cover says, "a critique of modern secularism." Howard focuses on the modern secular viewpoint that nothing means anything as opposed to the older viewpoint that everything means everything. It's a witty take on the different philosophies and succeeds in taking secularism to the woodshed.

Eschatology - Joseph Ratzinger

Part of a series on dogmatic theology written toward the end of Ratzinger's academic career, this book is a snapshot on the study of eschatology as it existed in the mid 1970s, the issues then being dealt with, the biblical evidence on the subject, and his outlines on solutions. This is a more deeply theological book than the other books on the list, but I found it to be one of Ratzinger's best books, even though all of them are good reads.

The God of Faith and Reason - Robert Sokolowski

Not having the book home with me, I can only say of this work that the distinctions made in the book and the treatment of theology here were very good when I was reading it.

Sanctified Vision - John O'Keefe and R Reno

This book looks at the way the Fathers of the Church interpreted Scripture in a very open-minded manner, opting to simply point out how it was done. A valuable book for improving one's bible-reading skills, as this work was influential in my two exegeses.

Scholasticism - Josef Pieper

Pieper was influential on Ratzinger, and I can see why, having read this and other excerpts of his work. Scholasticism analyzes its subject manner rather in depth in a way that is intelligible to those not well versed in medieval theology. Again, as this book is not home with me, I cannot say too much more of it, except that it is a good companion to Sokolowski's book.

The Spirit of Early Christian Thought - Robert Louis Wilken

Arguably the best book I read all year. Wilken covers a broad amount of Christian history (most of the first millenium) in an informative, informal, and often witty style.

OTHER TITLES

The Everlasting Man - G.K. Chesterton

I never cease to find more wisdom from this look at man's history, both pre-Christian and post-Christian. The chapters I always keep returning two are the last 2 before Christ enters the picture, The War of the Gods and Demons, and The End of the World. In an ideal world, this would be a required text in every history class.

The Spear - Louis de Wohl

The story of Cassius Longinus, a Roman nobleman who happens to be very skilled with a spear. The events of the story attempt to paint the backstory and the behind-the-scenes workings behind the death of Christ, in a way that is highly believable. This remains my favorite work of fiction.

Posted by Justice at 7:38 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 17, 2006

Crickets Chirping

I'm stil here, I just haven't felt much inclined to post things of late.

In old news, the aforementioned take home final went rather well. I never expected it to run to the 11 pages single-spaced that it did, but it was worth it, since the grade that came back was just fine. I did have a slight scare when I realized that the person to whom I had e-mailed it to give to the professor was out of town, but the guardian angel must have been on the ball that day, since the person I called to double-check on things knew he was away and alerted me in time to get a copy to the prof before the deadline.

Less fortunate is the continued inability to reach the professor who found problems with my work. At this point, I have no further information about how I went awry in my papers than I did when I first found out the mark, which is particularly irksome since I was there for 2 and a half weeks and the professor couldn't find the time to either meet with me or return the papers. I'm not quite sure what to make of this, although hopefully I will get answers in the fall, though personally, it should never take that long for a professor to return feedback, particularly when it seems by word of mouth I am the only one who received anything near that mark.

Soccer continues on as it has the past 8 years, this time happily with a raise (for the first time since I started way back in 1998). It is a bit ironic that my league merged with another one only to end up with a smaller house program than ever, but hopefully they'll get bigger over time. Hopefully the players also acquire better manners, although that may be asking too much.

Things at home are somewhat of a mixed bag, although it should end up being a very pleasant summer stay. Minor repair projects continue, as my parents are in the midst of a replacement cycle, where all the appliances and decor are gradually being replaced. The driveway is surprisingly on this year's list, as about a third has been rebuilt and repaved. Various other work on fencing, landscaping, sidewalks, and painting is also planned.

Plans are in the works for a summer book list (hopefuly to be done by the 21st), consisting mainly of the books my professors gave me to read this past year. Several were really awesome, but I just haven't had the time until now to really write up the blurb.

Posted by Justice at 10:03 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 3, 2006

Home Sweet Home

I made it back home in one piece and amazingly with all the things I wanted to take home. Things looked a little tight when I learned my parents would be arriving with a Chevy Malibu instead of a mini-van or van. However, I managed to pack well this time, and with clever packing skills by my parents and disassembling my bike, we were able to fit the computer box, a TV, one crate, two duffel bags, the bike, and a couple small bags into the trunk and one seat. I was a little cramped, but more than happy that my prayers were answered that all would fit.

I still have a take-home final to write for Sacraments, but I will write it tomorrow, drawing extensively from my 53-page set of type-written class notes.

Posted by Justice at 11:00 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack