Gah. As much as I wanted to read this book, once I started, I just couldn't bear to pick it up again. Since it's been 8 months since I picked it up, IGah. As much as I wanted to read this book, once I started, I just couldn't bear to pick it up again. Since it's been 8 months since I picked it up, I think I can safely say I have ZERO desire to finish it. Guess it's going into my DONATE pile.
I just can't imagine saying any of their suggested dialog to my kids. (Granted, my kids are just babies, but still!) Plus, although I found the premise to be good (that we shouldn't be good just to be good), the whole thing seemed squicky and self-righteous and sheesh - I even stopped caring that Jesus died for me, a sinner - because MAN!! Preachy and guilt inducing! I just couldn't stand it.
Plus, what's with the animosity towards Mormons? Practically every page was a diss! Skip!...more
Well, it was definitely short and a quick read. (However, I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more in small chunks over a longer period of time. I couWell, it was definitely short and a quick read. (However, I wonder if I would have enjoyed it more in small chunks over a longer period of time. I could've been far more contemplative in my approach.) I did enjoy Wills' translations of the Greek in the New Testament (who knew that the Greek spoken in those days was so messy and grammatically horrible and practically indecipherable?). Plus, several of his passages prodded at my cold, dark heart to make some changes.
However, mostly, I found his style a little too abrupt and bracing and choppy. I have no doubt of Wills' scholarship and abilities, I just didn't really care for his style.
It's hard for me to rate such a simple and thought-provoking book. Mostly because my brain just isn't wired (lately, anyway) to absorb as much as possIt's hard for me to rate such a simple and thought-provoking book. Mostly because my brain just isn't wired (lately, anyway) to absorb as much as possible from Norris's contemplative narrative. It was a simultaneous case of being chock-full truth nuggets and meandering narrative full of images and prose. In short, I think I'm too dense for this book.
Truly, I want to be deep and philosophical enough to understand the nuances of this book and to be able to translate it in a review. However, that far surpasses my ability as a student and writer! All I can say is that I read about this book on a Christian blog that extolled the virtues of repetitive "women's work" and it rang particularly close to home for me. After all, I spend all day taking care of a toddler and doing dishes about a million times. I do laundry almost every other day and I spend most of my day picking up after (or encouraging my son to) my little boy.
Mostly, I took comfort in the idea that our daily work of laundry, cooking, cleaning as being worship and holy. That what we do to take care of ourselves and others can be both an act of indifference or an act of supreme love. That the work that can seem contemptful in the eyes of "feminists" is actually a beautiful and vital thing, that makes me happy and joyful. After all, who wants 90% of what they do all day to be deemed as lowly or simple?
ETA: It's been about seven months since I read this book and it is still with me. I find myself referencing this book often when discussing being a mom as well as just reflecting on my day to day activities. In light of this, even though the writing is dense and perhaps not my style, the ideas are worth adding an extra star to 4 stars. This book has changed my life and perspective....more
The premise of this book sounded so interesting. I looked forward to reading about a God who would live up to the title of this book. Untame-able, indThe premise of this book sounded so interesting. I looked forward to reading about a God who would live up to the title of this book. Untame-able, indeed! However, Galli, (whose writing I do enjoy on Christianity Today does not quite reach my expectations with this offering. I found the ideas somewhat watered down, bland, and boring. Nothing mean nor wild about it. Truly disappointing....more
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