The Archko Volume

This book, which dealt with scrolls found in the Holy Land, was a very interesting read. It dealt with accounts from Caiaphas, the head person of the Sanhedrin about the crucifixion of Christ, and also about the resurrection of Christ. There were also accounts from Gamaliel, another member from the Sanhedrin. Gamaliel was the Apostle Paul's teacher, if you remember from one of the epistles. I would recommend this if you want a deeper understanding of the Gospels, as well as an understanding of Jewish hierarchy.

Erik

Next Read: Fear and Trembling, By Soren Kirkegaard

The Orthodox Church

This book was a VERY worthwhile read! Bishop Kallistos Ware was thorough in his research for this book. He talked about the saints of the Orthodox Church(St. Sergius, for example), what the Russian Orthodox church did during the days of the Communists, and the Cold War days.

There were the finer points of theology such as the filioque, which means "and from the Son." In the Nicene Creed, there is an argument between the Roman Catholics, Anglicans, and the Orthodox that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father THROUGH the Son. The Orthodox do not believe that the Holy Spirit proceeds through Jesus. They believe that it comes through God alone, and Jesus has no part of it.

As far as other parts of theology, they are pretty much Catholic, except that they have been apart from the Catholics since 1054.

If you would like to read this highly enlightening book, it is published by Penguin Press.

Erik

Next Read: The Archko Volume

Selected Writings of Philo of Alexandria

Philo of Alexandria was of Hebrew parentage, but he was brought up studying the Greek language. He knew both Hebrew and Greek, but his writings contain mostly of the Greek philosophy, although it is tinged with Jewish for flavor(!). The amazing thing is that some of the themes that are discussed; Grace, Love, and repentance! These are words that we usually hear Jesus speak! He was a contemporary of Jesus, since he was born around 25 BC and probably heard about the itinerant preacher who was causing a ruckus... So if you are interested, you can find a volume of his at your local LifeWay or Mardel christian bookstore...

Erik

Reading now: The Orthodox Church, By Kallistos Ware

Frank Sheed's Theology and Sanity

His book is really a good book for people who don't know a lick about Theology. He also brings people through a good summation of Thomism without getting them lost. He mentions a few things about St. Anselm and St. Augustine. The doctrines of Salvation and the Trinity were mentioned. I will not go into the details because my summaries are short paragraphs. People who are looking to start studies into theology and christian philosophy will enjoy this book.

Erik

My Present Read: Selected Writings of Philo of Alexandria

The Lord and His Prayer

This little book, by Bishop N.T. Wright, is a little gem. It shows how to study and how to pray the Lord's Prayer. Wright gives three different ways to study the Lord's prayer. First, a person takes one section per day, and uses that as a theme for the day, and uses the prayer as a theme for the week. Secondly, it is like a meditative like prayer. A person uses it in their private prayer time with the Lord. Thirdly, it is like the first theme. They use a theme a week instead of a theme a day, and exchange different themes. It is a small book, and a person can read it in a week. The language is very easy. Easy reading!

Erik

I have been thinking...

I have been pondering about starting an order(in the Roman Catholic sense, though not taking any vows of celibacy or poverty). The type of order would be strictly focused on serving the Lord in the areas of academics and study. There would also be service in the area of prayer. This has been on my mind a lot recently, and have been thinking about it a lot. I will continue, and will update it to the site as I get more clarity.

Erik

St. Anselm's Basic Writings

St. Anselm's writings are more philosophical in nature than theological. There are four works of his that are in this book, and are very profound. This is NOT a recreational book! The selections that are in here are Proslogion, Monologion, Cur Deus Homo(Why God Became Man), and Gaunilo's In Behalf of the Fool(Anselm's Response to Gaunilo). The first two are the best selections. The Cur Deus Homo is done in dialogue form and is more difficult to follow. I would recommend this if you like philosophy, and if you were studying about the existence of God, as well as the Trinity(Cur Deus Homo). This is not for new Christians!

Erik