Christian Theological/Philosophical Book Club discussion

We had a thread for introductions but many people who wrote on there are long gone and those of us still around have our intros buried in hundreds of texts. So feel free if you are new, to introduce yourself here, and if you are still around and feel the need to reintroduce yourself, to go ahead.

I'm Dave, one of the moderators. I split my time between being a dad while my wife works and working as a college pastor at Penn State Berks in Reading (an hour from Philly).

I'm sort of the resident Liberal Christian here, serious about following Jesus but not too hung up on religious beliefs, so I try to keep things real.

Thanks for starting a new, fresh introduction thread, David.

I'm Brent; I'm also one of the moderators. I'm a twenty-four year old graduate student studying systematic theology. I have beautiful wife and an awesome job. In my free time, and also when I have no time, I read.

I love philosophy, and am working out of the corner of the Presbyterian (EPC), Reformed traditions, so basically I wanna knock Lee's head upside every third post.

As an anecdote, I haven't written any books and neither do I plan on it for a long time. Yes, this is a jab at all your self-published authors! ;)

We have a great lot here on this board, and always have a lot of fun. Glad to be a part of this for the past couple years and grateful to all who contribute.

-Brent

I'm Josh,

I have a wife and two kids. I'm Australian and I love where I live. I am a Civil Engineer who has been spiritually accosted by primitive Christianity. ;)

I'm Rod,

I'm a Canadian truck driver with lots of time to read and listen to podcasts. I've got an awesome wife who supports my apologetic insanity (and two very cool adopted teenagers who get drilled by my philosophical outbursts daily). My entire family laughs at atheists, liberals, and charismatic religious foolery daily.

I take the bible very seriously - and after arguing with thousands of God haters I fully trust that our scripture is the trustworthy Word of God to a lost planet.
...there is great comedy in mankind's rebellion.

Hello everyone, I'm Peter. I'm a Canadian living near Toronto. In terms of training, I have never had any formal theological training--instead I have a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry. I spent most of my working life conducting research in industry on electronic materials. More recently I have taken up writing Science Fiction/Fantasy novels. I'm a passionate Christ-Follower. The only objective way I have to learn about Jesus is through the Bible and so I also take the Bible very seriously.

I'm trying to learn how to engage people who think very differently from me in a gracious way that doesn't compromise my convictions and commitment to the truth. I am also learning to accept with a positive attitude the inevitable criticism and censure that comes from both being a writer and a vocal Christ-Follower.

My name is Jake, I live in Pennsylvania (which many of us New Jerseyans refer to as 'affordable housing'). I love to read philosophy and I have a great respect for the Bible. I try to question everything, but I also try not to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Hi. I'm Robert, a retired community college biology instructor living in El Paso. I'm old-fashioned Conservative and rather of the hell, fire, and brimstone variety. I argue with everyone as I feel they've been bitten too much by the "love bug".

Hi, I am Cay (German male as the name in the Americas is used mainly for females). I am into christian Averroism, which means there is one truth, but there are (at least) two ways to reach it even if to my limited understanding they contradict each other. The two representatives of this rather obscure part of Christianity are Siger of Brabant and William of Ockham (usually more known for Occam's razor).

Welcome Jake.
We don't throw out many babies here - often we reach into the toilet and try to polish and dress up some turds instead.
Some things should be flushed with the bath water. That's my job - makes me very popular.

I'm Genni. I spent about five years after graduating with a degree in piano bouncing between continents. I love languages and speak Mandarin Chinese, Indonesian, and have my next text in Ancient Greek in the mail. I love history, classics, apologetics, and About Six months ago I fell in love with philosophy.

In 2007, I finally met an incredibly nice guy who loves Jesus with all of his heart. He hates reading though, lol. Hence, why I enjoy the discussions on goodreads. We have two beautiful, crazy active little boys. I cannot stress "active" enough. :-)

Hi! I'm Kevin, a 64 year-old Brit. At present I'm mostly lurking on this group: but will chip in from time to time.

I studied science at Uni and mostly earned my living as a Technical Author and Systems Analyst/Programmer. But on coming to know Jesus when I was 14, I was called to 'Go and teach all nations,' and I have been involved in church leadership most of my life, primarily as a Bible teacher. I see the Bible as God's Word and Jesus as the Living Word on which it is founded.

As a scientist, I believe our faith needs to be validated in present-day experience and lifestyle as well as theory and history. Looking at the evidence of the New Testament, that makes me unashamedly charismatic in outlook. Being human, I am not immune from making bloopers - large and small - from time to time; so I try to be sensitive to correction and fresh insights, irrespective of the source from which they may come.

I'm a CPA with my own accounting practice in the middle of the corn fields of Nebraska. Married with two high school/college age kids. Grew up in the church and until this past year never realized (didn't want to admit-maybe) how truly ignorant I was of what I "believed". My involvement with the group so far has been lurking and learning. I finally, after 46 years, read the whole Bible and am on my second round. I have been reading books on apologetics and enjoy listening to various podcasts. My favorite at the moment is Greg Koukl. As stated above, I was ignorant in what I "believed", but I've been very happy to find out that I wasn't necessarily wrong.

Hi folks. I am Dave and I am in Southern California. Returned to church this past summer (2014). Seeking a forum to discuss morality and apologetics I think. My girlfriend thinks I am too focused on black and white and rules. I think people don't give this stuff enough thought.

Just a note - I am going to delete all comments in this thread that are debate. This thread is to introduce yourself and nothing more. It will be easier for future readers if it is not cluttered with tangential debates.

Hi ya, my name is Jerome. I am a graduate student studying social psychology. I consider myself an eclectic reader. Pascal and Chesterton are two of my intellectual heroes. A natural pragmatist, I find absolute proof to be an unreasonable standard for a belief and personal experience to be underestimated as evidence, but maintain a high (almost religious one could say) respect for empirical data and sound logic.

Hello, I'm Matt from California. I have a BA in History but work on my family's farm. I have always been interested in learning from others, especially on complex issues of faith. I consider myself a beginner with no structured education in apologetics and have only read a few books on the subject. I've been observing the group for a week and have been impressed and excited at the potential for growth in my own theological understanding and apologetic knowledge. I hope I will be able to contribute to the group in a way that will benefit myself and others.

Matthew, welcome aboard. I also did my undergraduate in History. Looking forward to some good interaction.

It's always great to have fellow historians around Brent, especially when they're the moderators of the group. What was your specialization/ area of expertise in history?

Hi, my name is Chris. I live in the great state of Texas! I am currently a double major in both Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. I have a great passion for science and using its method to gain a better understanding of God's creation. February of 2013 i heard the message of the gospel in its fullness and finally understood it for the first time. I have been growing in the faith ever since.
Along with my passion for scientific inquiry I love discussing both philosophy and theology with others.
With that, I hope to become more involved in this group so that I may acquire some further experience in discussing apologetic matters with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Everybody else afraid to introduce themselves?

Hi, I'm Paul. I also live in Texas. I'm getting an M.A. in church history. I consider myself a post-fundamentalist/evangelical, progressive Christian. I was raised in the Plymouth Brethren movement and now attend a Church of Christ but consider myself nondenominational. I'm happy to have found a group interested in having real, potentially arcane discussions about Christian beliefs (even though I personally don't have much use for apologetics anymore).

In other words, it looks like Rod and I will be BFFs. ;-)

Welcome Buddy Paul.
A post-Fundi eh? I only use the F word (fundamentalist) when I'm sure it really annoys people... Gives them a reason to vent.

Lately I just go all Old School and call myself a Hell and Damnation (with Hope) Bible Thumper Extraordinaire.

My wife likes to add: Fire Breathing Dragon to all of that.

Hi Everyone - Kylie from Australia here. Just started attending Influencers Church and looking to find out more about Christianity by reading widely.
Items in the church bookshop don't give much on history.

Welcome Kylie, you'll come across some very interesting debates and info here.

Hey guys, this is Dwight. I'm a senior at Lancaster Bible College, recently Reformed I suppose. I have an independent Baptist background, and I thoroughly enjoy reading many different perspectives. Looking forward to some good conversations and I'm always open to book recommendations!

Holy cow, someone from Lancaster! We had someone from around that area before who has not posted much. I'm just up the road in Wyomissing (hometown of Taylor Swift and John and Kate plus 8).

Hey I actually live in Morgantown! So we're really stinkin close! Small world.

Hello, everyone. This is David, from the Florida Panhandle. I'm a former newspaper editor and technical writer. I hold a BS in political science and truly feel as if I missed my calling in not making an academic pursuit out of Christian theology in my college days. So, as I enjoy my later years in life, I take note of online posted syllabi from theological institutions and try to give structure to my constant readings and studies. This is my first entry posting within a forum on GoodReads and I hope it's a pleasant experience.

Welcome guys - I think almost all of existence can be compared to Star Wars. (yes, characters names are essential.)
Ryan, you and I should write a book on why The Bible should be read and appreciated in a similar way to Star Wars (with 9 year olds flinging popcorn everywhere). Of course: Star Wars only WISHES it were the Bible.
(I am deeply upset that people often make the Bible into a dusty old tomb for ancient academics to laboriously ponder in the hallowed halls --- The Bible ROCKS in a similar way to Han Solo arriving at the last minute to save the Universe...and no: Jesus does not resemble Han in any way. Or Luke!


David comment: " I take note of online posted syllabi from theological institutions and try to give structure to my constant readings and studies."

I too wish I were engulfed in theological soup of a rightly functioning Bible College. But i'm too old and in debt. So I enjoy their text books as well.

I'm here under the pseudonym I used to write a book, which I suppose I'll write a notice for in due time in the appropriate place. The original reason for the pen name was that it fit the theme of the book. If I explained how that worked, it would sound like advertising, so I'll hold off.

My own religious background is that I grew up as an unconfirmed Anglican, became an atheist for some time, returned to Christianity under some influence from Baptist friends as well as my own personal search, and was active for many years in an MCC, the ecumenical LGBT-positive church that was established from the 1970s onward. I have read and contemplated extensively in theology, philosophy and the religions and look forward to discussions. Since I work as a scientist, I am also vividly aware of the positivist and atheist positions, and why I beg to differ with them.

Hi, I'm Tasha. I'm 26 and I have a B.A. in Philosophy with a concentration in religious studies. I'm ashamed to say I don't read non-fiction as much as I should, but I love a good philosophical discussion. I love to give my opinions and feed of the opinions of others.

Welcome, Tasha. :-)

Well, Rohan, we'll certainly twist your pulleys and throw a wrench or two in your gears - all in good fun, of course!

Hi, I am Tim. I am 65 years here, obsessed with books, a church caretaker, former bookstore owner, B&N manager, MBA, business manager(30 years),welder,poet,husband,father,son,
felon,scouter,explorer,traveler,doubter,almost priest, MLA,sketcher,watch maker, wonderer, philosopher,seeker,questioner,cemetery caretaker,searcher,and I do not know what else....for now.

Bookman8 wrote: "Hi, I am Tim. I am 65 years here, obsessed with books, a church caretaker, former bookstore owner, B&N manager, MBA, business manager(30 years),welder,poet,husband,father,son,
felon,scouter,explor..."

Welcome Tim. I look forward to reading your input.

Hey guys, I just wanted to introduce myself since I'm finally going to participate, lol. My name is Gigi, I'm from Jersey pursuing my English degree. I'm a Christian, and I love to read. Thanks for the invite Brent, you're a really insightful guy–all your reading inspires me(i can be prone to stacking books instead of reading them..)!

Gigi,

we are glad you are here! We just started going through Origen's "On First Principles" which can be found free online if you wanted to jump in with us. Otherwise we have some lively and colorful discussions about all sorts of topics usually going on in the other forums. Glad you are here!

b

Hi everyone! I’m very glad to have joined this group. Allow me, too, to introduce myself.
I have been a High School teacher of History and Italian almost all my working life (here in Italy, where I still live). Now that I have retired, I can finally spend more time doing what I love most: studying and writing.

In the early 70s I studied political science for two years at the Sapienza University of Rome. Eventually I attended the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, where I graduated with a doctor's degree in philosophy in 1975. I also studied English at San Francisco State University in 1980.

My study and research interests lie in the following areas: Philosophy (mostly Political philosophy), Religions, Catholic and Christian theology, History (mostly Medieval history).

I blog at www.windrosehotel.com and my website is at www.srpiccoli.eu.

I’m the author of three books (the first two are strictly related with the topic of this group):
- Being Conservative from A to Z
- Blessed Are the Contrarians
- Breviario del giovane politico

I live in the Venice area with my wife and my daughter. I am looking forward to participating in this group and to contributing to discxussions.

Welcome, my son and I were planning on exploring Italy in 2 years. I'll need your advise - until then we can argue (or agree) about theology.

Thanks for welcoming me, Rod. I'll be glad to help you planning your trip to Italy. God Bless.

Welcome, S.R. I think we can agree that we'd recommend that Rod include Venice in his trip to Italy!

I'd advise him to see as many of the local Tintoretto paintings as he can!

Hello everyone. My name is Aaron, currently living in Sacramento, CA. My background is raised in a Christian home in the Midwest. I have been on a journey by God's grace from a more Pentecostal upbringing to reformation theology. I'm so thankful for the grace of Christ. I have a wife, a son, and another baby boy on the way. For hobbies and interests, I LOVE reading - mostly theology and biblical studies with some classic fiction as well. Playing guitar and singing with my wife is great. My latest obsession is roasting coffee at home. Coffee is probably the closest thing that would make me become a pantheist :), kidding! But man I do enjoy the stuff!

Well, I'm looking forward to joining in on the Origen discussions, and whatever else may come.

Mark wrote: "Welcome, S.R. I think we can agree that we'd recommend that Rod include Venice in his trip to Italy!

I'd advise him to see as many of the local Tintoretto paintings as he can!"

You bet!

Hello. I'm Steve. I am a Zen Buddhist. Someone close to me used to be a member of this group, and I started reading your conversations in hopes of understanding his views a bit better. He left the group a long time ago, but I have kept reading. I decided to start participating to see how things go.

Steve, welcome. We have been going through the ancient Alexandrian's "First Principles" if you want to jump in!

Thanks, Brent. Origen is on my long-range to-read list, but I doubt I will get to it anytime soon.

Welcome new people. Exciting.
I'll try not to scare you away - this week.

Buddhism: fun.

Rod: I have tried to discuss things with you on other Goodreads forums. I'd rather not repeat the experience.

Let the fun begin.