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Dallas Morning News: Texas Faith

TEXAS FAITH Texas Faith is a weekly discussion that poses questions about religion, politics and culture to a panel of religious leaders. This week’s question: We asked our distinguished panelists for recommendations of good, religion-related books to read this summer. Here are excerpts from some of this week’s answers. Jonathan Tran, assistant professor of theological ethics, department of religion, Baylor University: My wife gave me Stanley Hauerwas’ new Hannah’s Child: A Theologian’s Memoir for Father’s Day. I read it in two days. Hauerwas has once again created his own genre: the theological page-turner! Hauerwas, reputed “America’s Best Theologian” by Time magazine, is widely known for his strong views on war, medical ethics, the church and his peppery language. Much of that will be made sense of, and softened, by this poignant autobiography by one of Texas’ own — he grew up in the Pleasant Grove area of Dallas. He may or may not be, finally, America’s best theologian, but he is certainly its most interesting. Cindy Rigby, W.C. Brown Professor of Theology, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary: The spiritual memoir that has influenced me most, over the course of the last several years, is one that was written by a fictional character, the Rev. John Ames. The name of the book is Gilead, and the author is Marilynne Robinson. It won the Pulitzer in 2003. It is one of the books I read whenever I lose sight of the glory of God. Geoffrey Dennis, rabbi, Congregation Kol Ami in Flower Mound: I can think of three I would recommend. Each offers something different in regards to the Jewish journey. Leonard Fein’s Against the Dying of the Light: A Parent’s Story of Love, Loss, and Hope offers a fine, thoughtful meditation of a committed Jew coming to grips with unfathomable loss. Required reading for all interested in interfaith relations, Yossi Klein Halevi’s At the Entrance to the Garden of Eden: A Jew’s Search for God With Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land is a worthy follow-up to his autobiography of his early adulthood, Memoirs of a Jewish Extremist. And without a doubt, the mature reflections of Elie Wiesel on his experiences, From the Kingdom of Memory, offers wisdom and hard-won spirituality from the most articulate of Holocaust survivors. William B. Lawrence, dean and professor of American church history, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University: It is difficult to imagine any more significant spiritual memoir than St. Augustine’s Confessions. It is profoundly revealing, it gives every reader access to the most significant theological mind in two millennia of Christian thought, and it explores some of the principal themes that remain vital to understanding the basics of Christian reflection. Ric Dexter: Men’s Division Chapter Leader, Nichiren Buddhist Soka Gakkai lay organization: The Living Buddha: An Interpretive Biography by Daisaku Ikeda asks you to see Siddhartha Gautama as a man. He was not a god. He did not spend his life only in contemplation of higher truths. Between his privileged birth and being recognized as a great teacher at his death, he walked among the people, experiencing their struggles and finding ways to relieve their sufferings. For anyone wanting to know what kind of man he was, and to learn something of the significance of his teachings, this book is an excellent introduction. Larry Bethune, pastor, University Baptist Church in Austin: As spiritual memoirs go, it’s hard to beat Thomas Merton’s The Seven Storey Mountain, the account of the spiritual journey that led him to become one of the most influential spiritual writers of our time. To read more responses and to post your own comments, go to dallasnews.com/texasfaith

Join the Chat - Noon, Aug. 20, Denison Country Club

Bookchat Notes - 7/16/10 The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest! Linda Sullivan sent this recommendation: A real read and departure into Swedish culture and intrigue.Get past the rough stuff and get caught up in it. It is a wild ride! Also, The Big Rich is a Texas Must Read. Titles discussed at the chat: Isabel Allende, Island Beneath the Sea, Daughter of Fortune, Portrait in Sepia Thje Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton, The House at Riverton Sarah's Key Tatiana De Rosene La Cuna Barbara Kingsolver Molly Ivins, a Rebel Life Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve Peace Like a River Leif ??? The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wrobleski Irish Love Andrew M Greeley from Chicago Danielle Steel books Devil Wears Prada by Weisberger Tom Clancy about neo nazi movement plan to poison the water in London, Ny & france Clive Cussler books Laura Bush Memoir - lot of history white house and first family history. Robin Pilcher Starting Over, Dianna McCall Minosa Grove , Catherine Coulter Whiplash FBI series, The Cove , The maze 2 problems in each book, 2 people strong, who have lived well togeher. The Shanghai Girl by Lisa See ??? Sundays at Tiffany's james Patterson Beside a Burning Sea John Shors The Girl with a Dragon Tatoo (Lee can't recommend Garlic and Saphires Ruth Reichl Girl in Translation Jean Kwok Twisted Creek, Welcome to Harmony Jodi Thomas The season of Second Chances Diane Meier The Nine: The Secret World of the Supreme Court Wintergarden Kristin Hannah - about when Germans invade Leningrad Born in Ireland, Born in Shame Bitsy's B & B Baitshop and Barbeque Pamela Morisi Nelson De Mille The Lion An Innocent Man by John Grisham (true story from Ada OK) The Boundless Deep Kate Brallier A Fine Balance about Indira Ghandi The Ten Year Nap The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen, Garden Spells The Time Traveler's Wife Audrey Niffenegger Smoke Jumper Nicholas Evans Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen about circus veterinarian, ultimate love story When the Day Breaks Mary Jane Clark Those Who Save Us, The book thief, The Reader read all three Stephen Covey, The Eighth Habit , Rewriting Monday Jodi Thomas

Future Dates

AUGUST 20 Denison Country Club - Noon SEPTEMBER 17 Charlotte Gravely's home (Check your book bags before leaving...a cat may have crawled in! We have entertainment provided!_ OCTOBER 15 Cynthia Young's Bells home (We will carpool from Trinity Methodist Church.) NOVEMBER 19th Mary Lou James' home DECEMBER 17th Denison Country Club January 21,Kay will arrange for us to meet at QUE PASA the old White Pig WOW! Thanks to all for hosting us!

June 25 Book Chat and Plans for Future

Jodi Thomas, New York and USA Today bestselling author, will be in Denison Friday to speak to the Book Chatters and anyone else interested. The open meetin will be at Frontier Village Museum beginning at 12:30 p.m. She will speak about hew new book, "Welcome to Harmony. Come on out and meet Jody, buy a book if you want one and get it autographed.