so-soI‘m not a huge reader of non-fiction and when I do read non-fiction, I tend to prefer books that read like stories rather than a list of facts. This was not a book that read like a story so I struggled to stay engaged. I did learn a fair amount about a subject for which had zero knowledge.
This was Jan‘s pick for our partner read this month (little known history) although which it was little known to me, it‘s not an obscure topic.
p. 271: 'It was better to award a light penance that would one day put someone into purgatory to endure further punishment there, than to assign a heavy one that would not be done and might send the defaulter to hell.'
That's not what I expected from medieval confessors. Unfortunately, Orme doesn't cite his source for this attitude.
On to the section about Holy Week, which is obviously timely.
The nonfiction book I chose to focus on this month for my #2025nfbookchallenge is the 1689 London Baptist Confession. I think it‘ll be interesting to learn about the history of the denomination I was raised in. So far, I‘m finding it excellent. The statements are clear, considering the lingo from that year differs just a bit from today, and the many scriptures used to back each statement are solid.
so-so(2000) There's disappointingly little math here for a book titled “The Geometry of Love.“ But it's interesting for what it is: a discussion of a church, Sant'Agnese Fuori la mura near Rome, from as many perspectives as possible, ranging from architecture and art history to theology, hagiography, folklore, and personal response. It's interesting and occasionally fascinating. A bit unfocused for me, but arguably that's the point. Also: no pictures?
p. 232: 'The fact that all were at rest after the working week in a spiritual and social environment may ... have been a source of comfort.'
People who include sightseeing in their travels can scarcely avoid visiting churches.
#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl
pickThis is a really accessible yet info-packed read that I'd certainly recommend to anyone hoping to learn more about the history of White Christian Nationalism (which I wish wasn't yet again/still/[endlessly?!] such an urgent social problem, but here we are 🙃). Jemar Tisby is excellent wherever he writes/presents his ideas, including his Substack (jemartisby.substack.com). He narrates the audio beautifully, too.
