Matt's Blog

I got a few books for Christmas. They're in my book list on the left. I just started reading Messy Spirituality. Mike Yaconelli died about a year ago in an auto accident. Among other things we was the cofounder of The Door, the world's pretty much only religious satire magazine. That alone gives him enough street cred for me. If I ever go into the ministry, The Door will be required reading.

Next up will be Dress Your Family by David Sedaris (if MaryEllen has finished it by then). If you know of Sedaris, it's probably because of his pieces on This American Life. If you don't know him, let me tell you, he's freaking hilarious. He's most famous for his Santa Land Dairies in which he chronicles his experiences as an elf in a big department store one Christmas.

There are two books there by N.T. Wright. I started Paul for Everyone a couple weeks ago. It's basically a bible commentary. I haven't read a commentary before. I don't even know if they are to be read straight through. There were a lot of other things going on in real life at the time too. At any rate, it wasn't working for me. I'll give it another go in a bit.

Finally, I just finished Stranger in a Strange Land. One thing I liked about it, was the snappy dialogue. It reminded me of the smart movies of the 40's and 50's where everyone is quick and witty. (The book was published in 1960.) The story is sort of a retelling of Christ's ministry and crucifixion, with the man from mars as Christ. That may send Heinlein spinning in his grave. The book contains, as most good science fiction does, quite a bit of social commentary, especially comment on religion, and particularly evangelicalism, in America. It was fun to see where Heinlein saw the church going. He predicted the huge megachurch phenomenon pretty well. Heinlein adds a good bit of free love/sex to his new Man-from-Mars religion. It reminded me some of Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, in that if we would only learn to love (have sex) freely and with out jealousy and guilt, peace would come to the earth. I'm simplifying it quite a bit. I think this idea is played out. It doesn't work. We're not built that way. Grok? Feel free to comment if you disagree.

As far as music goes, I've been listening to Eels lately. Interesting and very listenable stuff. You can find better reviews on Amazon I'm sure.