I have something of an obsession with the idea of reading more deeply in a subject and thus coming away with a deeper knowledge of one specific topic, idea or area of thought. Please note that I said “the idea of” as I have pursued this idea in theory a great deal more than I have actually practiced anything like it.
This is why I have a rather large collection of books on conservatism for example. Or the entire American Presidents Series. Why I purchased a number of books that act as primary documents of sorts for Black History Month. Oh, and shelves of books on myths, legends and fairy tales. I often act as if collecting books on a subject will force me to read more deeply in a topic and thus gain knowledge (see yesterday’s post).
Alas, I rarely get beyond a book or two and soon the collection stares at me from the shelf mocking me… (I never got to the primary source books for Black History Month).
But I am here not to castigate myself, but to report on my current assignment which I am actually managing to stick with so far: reading books on Paul (another of my mini-obsessions).
Read so far:
- Paul and the Power of Grace by John M. G. Barclay
- Paul: An Apostle’s Journey by Douglas A. Campbell
Currently (re)reading:
- The Future of the People of God: Reading Romans Before and After Western Christendom by Andrew Perriman
Planning to read:
- Paul: A Very Brief History John M. G. Barclay
- Paul: A Beginner’s Guide by Morna D. Hooker
- Reinventing Paul by John G. Gager
- The Damascus Road by Jay Parini
Stretch Goals:
- Paul: A Very Short Introduction by E.P. Sanders
- Jesus I Have Loved, but Paul? by J.R. Daniel Kirk
- Paul Among the People by Sarah Ruden
- Paul Was Not a Christian by Pamela Eisenbaum
- St. Paul by Karen Armstrong
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