I went to Borders yesterday and bought Victor Stenger’s God: The Failed Hypothesis. I’ve been wanting to read it for myself, although I really hated spending money on it. As I set it on my desk, I noticed a partial stack of the other books I’ve recently acquired. It looks like I’ve got a busy summer ahead of me. Here’s at least a partial list of my good intentions:
I Sold My Soul on eBay, by Hemant Mehta. Sent to me by my friend Mike, this is the story of the author, an atheist, selling the opportunity on eBay for the highest bidder to take him to church. Jim Henderson, from Off The Map, was the highest bidder. I’ve wanted to read this, and look forward to seeing what Hemant has to say.
Looking for God Knows What, by Donald Miller. A gift from friend, this appears to be another interesting, as well as humorous, look at the American Christian experience. I took it to church one Sunday (I often bring something to read as the sermons are often devoid of content), but I had to stop due the tendency to laugh out loud.
Evil and the Justice of God, NT Wright. I love NT Wright, as anyone who knows me knows.
The God Delusion, Richard Dawkins. I have a hold on this at the local library; apparently it’s in high demand. I’ll review this as soon as I’ve read it.
The End of Faith, Sam Harris. I’ve read enough by Harris to know his basic arguments, but want to at least skim the book, and will post on this one, too.
Letter to a Christian Nation, Sam Harris. Might as well read the set.
Surprised by Joy, CS Lewis. I read this many years ago, and a friend suggested I reread it. It will probably serve as my “back-up” book, and kind of a “palate-cleanser.”
The Hidden Face of God, by Gerald Schroeder. On loan from my father-in-law, this is an interesting book that is subtitled How science reveals the ultimate truth. Schroeder is an MIT-educated Israeli (Jewish) with education & experience in both biology and physics. I’m a few pages into this, and I am really appreciating the Jewish philosophical slant of this book.
This list, of course, doesn’t include the handful of novels that I’ve accumulated. Among those I intend to read are a few classics, such as Frankenstein and Phantom of the Opera.
Now, I just need some free time.
Hey,
I am a Christian who is writing a blog series on Dawkins’ book “The God Delusion”.
Join the conversation at:
http://michaelkrahn.wordpress.com/richard-dawkins/
Looks like a good list. I have wanted to read Phantom ever since seeing this awful Paul Williams movie “Phantom of the Paradise” in the 1980’s. (I wonder whatever happened to “Beef?”)
I am partway through Stenger, have read both of Harris’ books as well as TGD. Too bad you have to wait for it. If I had more trust in the Postal System I would be willing to send it to you. (And I had a grandfather and an uncle who were mail carriers.)
I am re-reading a single-book edition of all of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. That’s a lot of fun. But I think it would be interesting to contrast Schroeder with Stegner; I am sure that they look at similar data.