OK, I am learning to hate these, but of course, I love them. “Memes” are a techy geeky word coined by arch-Darwinist and atheist Richard Dawkins, who created the word to represent “replicator of cultural information that one mind transmits (verbally or by demonstration) to another mind.” In common english, now we use them to talk about ourselves. So here’s the book meme.
1. One book that changed your life
Ordering Your Private World by Gordon McDonald. Made me realize the pre-eminent place that the regular inner disciplines of prayer and meditation have in a healthy, organized life.
2. One book that you just could not put down
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. Favorite sci-fi book. The movie has been caught in development hell, still no release date even though screenplay complete in 2003 :(.
3. One book you wish you had read earlier in life
The Seasons of a Man’s Life by Daniel Levinson. This very academic book represents one of the top five models of human life stage study (along with Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, Hudson’s The Adult Years, Fowler’s Stages of Faith, and perhaps the works of Piaget and Donald Super). Gale Sheehey’s books (Passages) are based on Levinson’s work. What moved me most was his description of the “Thirty Crisis”, similar to mid-life crisis, it clearly put my own struggles at that age into perspective. Tough but very rewarding reading..
4. One book that made you laugh
Addicted to Mediocrity by Frankie Schaeffer. This critique of the pathetic modern evangelical approach to art is biting and funny. Most memorable is the cartoon showing a museum display with Christian Art c. 1970, a bumper with a “Honk of you love Jesus” bumper sticker.
5. One book that made you cry
Healing for Damaged Emotions by David Seamands. This very Christian treatment of emotional healing accomplishes two feats, firstly, it introduces the Christian reader to the ideas behind healing early childhood emotional injuries within a Christian context. Secondly, he deals with some specific common doctrines that keep Christians from deep inner healing, like overemphasis on denying the self instead of loving, cherishing, and developing the created self (the real you) in order to give yourself.
6. One book that you liked so much you gave it as a gift to others
Release of the Spirit by Watchman Nee. This little volume will really inspire you to be spirit filled rather than soul-oriented. If you don’t know the difference between the two, the book makes it clear.
7. One book you wish had never been written
The Koran. I think that is has unleashed more oppression and murder than The Communist Manifesto and Mein Kampf put together. Or at least, it will before the century is over.
8. One book you’re currently reading
If God is Love by Gulley. Pro-gay theologian describes his version of faith, one that values love and acceptance over sin and truth. One sided, but some great ideas on acceptance and love.
9. One book you’ve been meaning to read
One? I’ve got a stack of 30, and 200 on my wish list. Spanish for Dummies.
10. One book that you read which sucked even though others thought it great
The Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck. I was never able to get very far in this book. However, his next book in the series, Further Along the Road Less Traveled, is one of my favorite books of all time (top 10).
TAG: Who else should fill this out? How about you regular commenters here? Aaron, DaddyPundit, Sam, Lewis, other Sam, Cineaste, FCL? Have at it.