I read a lot of books - here are a few of the best from the first half of the year!

Fiction:

The Player of Games, Iain M. Banks - an early installment in Banks's “The Culture” universe, and the best of the bunch that I’ve read this year. Sci-fi, more of the small-human-story than epic universe-spanning conflict variety.

The God of the Woods, Liz Moore - mystery, thriller - a fun, engaging, well-written story

Lake of Souls, Ann Leckie - science-fiction short stories collection from Ann Leckie, who is the very best, somewhat dependent on her other novels (read them!)

Anarchism:

That Holy Anarchist, Mark Van Steenwyk - A very short booklet on the intersections of Christianity and Anarchism

The ABC of Anarchism, Alexander Berkman - The first section has a great introduction on the nature of capitalism and anarchism in a very accessible form. The later parts have a lot of history of the Russian Revolution(s) but there are a lot of helpful nuggets.

Well-Being:

Sacred Attachment, Michael Cusick - exploration of attachment theory, attachment to God and others, and the spiritual journey

Church:

Centered-Set Church, Mark Baker - What does it look like to define church community by the center (Jesus and his way) we are moving toward rather than focusing on drawing boundary lines on who is in and out?

Biblical Ethics:

The Biblical Vision of Sabbath Economics, Ched Myers - What does scripture, especially through teachings on Sabbath and Jubilee, have to say about how we organize our lives, communities, and economics to really care for each other and the world? Very short, very good.

Holiday Music

An alternative July 4th playlist

Historical Heroes:

I'll regularly highlight historical heroes, often in the week of their birth or death. Saturday marks the birthday of Rutilio Grande.

Rutilio Grande of El Salvador (5 July 1928-12 March 1977) was a priest, professor, and activist. He grew up in a poor family, raised by his brother and devout grandmother after his parents' divorce. He joined the Jesuit order and intended to join global mission. He ended up a priest and professor back in El Salvador and became a close friend of Oscar Romero (later Archbishop). With the influence of Vatican II and various travel and study, he sought to see the church deeply involved in the realities of the people and the people deeply participating in the life of the church, especially those on the margins. He reformed seminary training so that seminarians would have more immersion in the communities that they would serve and have strong integration of intellectual and pastoral formation. Eventually, his ministry was one that lived out the implications of liberation theology, proclaiming good news, addressing social needs, mobilizing those on the margins for the sake of their communities, advocating for needed policy change, and deeply pastorally ministering to the people. He especially led the people in speaking out about land reform and workers' rights, organizing them to challenge the landowners and government. He and other priests were harassed and threatened, and he was assassinated by the government after condemning the kidnapping of another priest. His death sparked a dramatic change in his friend Archbishop Romero, who himself became an advocate for the poor and martyr for their cause against the government and elites.

It is important to note that much of the government oppression in El Salvador at that time (as well as its current government with its horrendous prison complexes) was materially supported by the United States government, which Grande, Romero and others continually protested.