Etc

Well, I must tell you, this right here is something out of this world. Astoundingly beautiful and, well, interesting music. Actually, Tavener describes this piece as a "musical ikon", at least that was his express intention when writing it. It's a piece about the Virgin mother, so, well, I can't say I'm prepared to follow him all the way concerning the message. But, anyway.

And then I've bought some more books.

Wicclair's book on conscientious objection, which I need for my work on Norwegian doctors' right to conscientious obj.

Walter Wink: "Naming the powers". Well, u bet I'm looking forward to this one. I actually hadn't heard about Wink before, but then I noticed him referenced in a book about evolution and original sin. Well, anyway, this book is about an underfocused topic, namely the idea of "principalities and powers" in NT. Wink's theses here are a bit controversial, I think, but ought to be very stimulating anyway. The only other book I've read about this subject is Cairds "Principalities and powers", which is good, but short. I read that book on the top of the mountain Lauvvikfjell :) So, if Wink convinces me of his ideas, it ought to be a little earthquake in my understanding of reality.


"Christianity, Democracy, and the Radical Ordinary: Conversations Between a Radical Democrat and a Christian" Hauerwas/Coles. Well, someone recommended that I read Hauerwas, and I didn't pay much attention to the advice. But Cavanaugh, who actually had Hauerwas as his doctoral advisor, writes a lot about this book in his "Migrations of the holy". And it seems fruitful and interesting. Actually, I am beginning to think that the topic of Christianity and politics is bound to be...permanently unsettled, because of the inherent tensions the Christian faith, tensions that will only find their solution in the perfect kingdom. (I am talking about: Jesus renounced the use of violent power, ok. But then again, he preached a highly "political" message about him being king over Israel, and thus over creation. Which is to say that Christianity actually is "imperialistic", though without use of violence. The kingdom gains ground with the power of the Spirit - in weakness and sacrifice.

"Theopolitical imaginations", Cavanaugh again. Well, better just plow through it. An expensive book, but ought to be interesting and increase my knowledge. Must say, I've already learned a lot from Cavanaugh's thinking on political theology. However, his knowledge of the Bible is...somewhat lacking, I should say.

"On conscience", by our dear friend the pope.

"The Frege Reader." Don't really know what to expect here. Feser has many times referenced Frege, especially concerning materialism etc. (See e. g. his book on philosophy of mind, or, of course, Last Superstition). So I guess I hope I may learn a lot from Frege's reasoning on this.

"Christian ethics and contemporary moral problems." I read that this book is really good, and at a high level, too. So I'm really looking forward to learning how he solves the "problem" of Christian ethics.

"After Macintyre". Well, of course, I'm a big fan of AM, as every other thinking evangelical Christian is. So I am in the process of reading his most important book, but this one ought to deepen my understanding of him, by contributing some critical perspectives.

"The word made strange: Theology, language, and culture." Milbank is almost indispensible reading for anyone interested in the future of Christianity in the west. He also packs a lot of punch, both rhetorically and intellectually. Well, at least when it is possible to actually understand him. Haven't read his Theology and Social Theory yet, but it ought to be a feast.


So, yes, this post is in English. Figured I was gonna try it for a while, got inspired by this blog and thought "what the heck, let's give it a go" :) If I don't get any new readers, perhaps I'll return to writing in Norwegian.