ThePrill > Recent Status Updates

Seems like the right time of year to read this one!

Christ makes all things new, not all new things. Pleasantly surprised by Kocman’s lengthy treatment of Bavinck, being unfamiliar with the author before this volume.

Interesting stats. Being university-educated is the biggest determining factor in America currently between couples that get divorced or not. Even more than consistent church-attendees, by a long shot (22% getting divorced vs 33%). In fact, church ‘regulars’ are just as likely to be divorced in the current system as those who self-label politically as Liberal and Conservative (33% each respectively). Curious.

Comes highly recommended from several corners

‘When we make reference to the gospel, we are not calling attention to *a theme in Scripture but to *the theme of Scripture and, dare we say, the most prominent thought in the mind of God’

‘Jesus made it possible for the Father to forgive His sinful people without the least violation of His righteousness and to call them to Himself without the least offence to His holiness’

Still very interesting. I already believe that this is not going to be one that I read again in this manner, more of a reference methinks.

This is, thus far, a very well-composed book. Editors have spared no expense in their desire to be thorough. There are even notated chants from Luther (in German and English), a real treat.

Lasch is a populist. Though his argument is far more complex, post WWII capitalism = bad. Corporate capitalism’s elites have subverted reality and bear direct responsibility for the therapeutic culture of the present day.

Too much Freud and psycho-analysis in the last couple of chapters.

‘The atrophy of older traditions of self-help has eroded everyday competence, in one area after another, and has made the individual dependent on the state, the corporation, and other bureaucracies’ (18-9), such that ‘men and women no longer manage even to raise their children well without the help of certified experts’, in one example.

Seems I need to read ‘The Lord of the Rings’ again. Tolkien sure can craft a sentence or two. It is lamentable that the films undid a number of the characters.

Trying to educate a goose ('bless me, what do they teach them at these schools?!') Irving is great, no qualms about revisiting this one.

Jury is still out. The concepts seem to be sticking with me, despite the over-referencing to Edwards, Lewis, and Wilson.

I had forgotten how deep the Piper-ites indulge themselves in New England theology. The more I read of Edwards, the more I dislike him. Not interested in your psychological, depersonalised analogies. As a wise man told me yesterday, ‘the less you read of the Puritans, the more you like them’.

It's been just over a year and a half since I last read The Count of Monte Cristo, and I am affectionately desirous of returning to it. It is just so good. There are few books more classic than that one. It is certainly on the top five classics I would recommend to anyone.

Some very ‘hot’ takes from Jordan, ranging from discounting the severity of Noah’s imbibing to speculations concerning Abimelech’s motives. Different from what I had been expecting. Neutral thus far.

A good deal of Biblical parallels already, but offered in a seemingly-condescending manner. The sort of stuff I’d expect from Melville.

For an author who pins a lot of the problem on mysticism, he sure isn’t self-aware about his nonsensical mystical arguments in here. So far a mixed bag.

Exposed to a lot of Lewis’ more questionable theology. Those saying this is difficult to read have not spent the last few weeks trying to figure out the Trinity through obtuse papers.