05/24/2023
Pastor Tim’s Summer Reading Group
Calling All Fans of well written History
I’m in the mood this summer to do some reading, and I love history when it is delivered well. So I am inviting you to join me in reading three books between now and September. Two of the books I can vouch for as being both accessible and insightful—about the subject matter and about the life of faith. Neither is about God or Jesus but they provide interesting insights on who we are as an American people in one case, and the world in which Jesus was born and lived out his earthly life. The third book I only just now saw reviewed and it will definitely generate its fair share of discussion.
I want to start our with One Summer, 1927 by Bill Bryson, then follow it up with the biography of Augustus: The Life of Rome’s First Emperor by Anthony Everitt, and then close out the summer with a new book, A Fever In the Heartland by Timothy Egan.
One Summer, 1927 is about the making of Modern America by looking only at the events of one spring/summer/early fall in our nation’s history. Bryson makes a good case for this being a defining moment when several important threads come together to shape our modern sensibility. A fascinating and easy read, but not a short one.
Augustus is not just a biography of the first and greatest of the Roman Emperors, but in helping us understand Augustus, the author also reveals a great deal about the society that dominated the world before, during, and after the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s hardly an academic tome, but it will require a little concentration to pick out the insights that are relevant to our faith.
And finally, A Fever In the Heartland promises to be an exciting read on how the Klu Klux Klan made a resurgence in the 1920’s, especially in the state of Indiana. It is about the man who took advantage of the times he lived in to amass power and influence over the powers that be in our state. His climb to power ends when in an act of complete hubris, he kidnaps a woman and takes her across state lines and forces himself on her. It may not be the brightest moment in our state’s history, but I’m told it does an excellent job of explaining how one man, in the right place at the right time could leave such a devastating trail of anger and hate in his wake. As a year of historical milestones for Hamilton county and our church, a historical look at what took place on our doorstep seems very apropos.
If you’re interested in joining me with my summer reading list, let me know by sending an email (tburchill@carmelumc.org) and get yourself started on Bill Bryson’s One Summer. We’ll figure out when and where when it’s clearer who is interested.
CLICK HERE to SEND AN EMAIL: tburchill@carmelumc.org
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There is a challenge when it comes to preaching the Word of God.
Preachers are called to open up and interpret the word—inspired and written down thousands of years ago—and make it relevant to a very different world. On top of that there’s a degree of persuasion that goes along with the process.
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When Jessica or Rick or a guest preacher takes the pulpit it’s hard for me to write a One More Thing Blog. I can’t share with you what didn’t make it into the sermon because I have no idea, not having written or delivered it.
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I didn’t have anything this last week that didn’t end up in the sermon. No catchy illustrations that didn’t make the cut. No theological insights that slowed down the main point. No one can ruin a funeral like Jesus. Told as I saw it and that was it. So I did some quick research and I thought I’d share just a reminder of what Easter is all about.