philosophy, theology

[sickofhull]

Hadn't read a book in years but after everything with my N.F.H i reaffirmed my faith ( had been in great doubt many years- none now) & read the bible.
recently i got a collection of Theology books by C.S. Lewis.
Read the chronicles of narnia when younger but hadn't realised he wrote adult stuff too.
started with " the problem of pain" which talks all about why good people suffer, why does god allow pain to be felt at all? etc
really interesting book, he writes with great insight & genuine warmth.
Did'nt agree with everything he said but was fascinating reading anyway.
also read Plato's " republic" & " phaedrus" ( about just & unjust behaviour- searching for fundamental truths) & virgils " the Aeneid" ( epic tale of right & wrong -also just a really good story)
though faith is about a simple belief in god & philosophy often warded against, these stand as really interesting books & help you settle things in your own mind- i definitely recommend them. :bookread: :angel:


P.S.
If you have'nt read the bible before i'd start with the new testament ( feel free to ignore me , it's a personal thing)- for myself i quickly decided that the gospels are the words of god, although as recounted by fallible human beings thousands of years ago & the rest seems open to interpretation( forgive me if this goes against your own beliefs)
the main message of jesus seems to be that we already know right from wrong-we just have to find the strength to live by our own truths.

[Beth]

I have some of his books although must confess I have never read them, it never felt the right time to read them!
I feel you have to be in the right mood for certain books before you start them.

The Narnia books are fantastic, and there are morals galore, good vs evil, listening to your consceince, make the right choices, helping each other out, bullying etc.

I remember my mum buying me the box set of the narnia tales, and she did actually buy them from a faith book shop :)

[Mr Ribbit]

Thanks for those recommendations. :thumbs:

I didn't realise C.S. Lewis had written books of that nature - definitley a book to look out for now. Your other recommendations sound interesting as well so I'll have to keep an eye open next time I go book hunting. :D

mr ribbit

[sickofhull]

Thanks for all responses.
I'm definitely going to read the narnia books again- it was so long ago i've pretty much forgotten them, though i remember really liking them.
I know what you mean about the right time, Beth, i don't think you have to read up about faith to understand it or even have a belief in god to be a decent person
( though i do believe decency comes from God) & these books don't often make for easy reading.
have'nt read any of those others , Hazelnut, will definitely have a look- thanks for your suggestions.
I also got Homers iliad & odyssey out from the library & will let you know what there like once i've got round to them ( anyone else read these?- good to know what you thought)
thanks again
cheers! :)

[Annabel]

:D Hi SoH, interesting thread! The Narnia chronicles are kinda well known for containing teachings of christianity...have any of you heard that the theories that the Winnie the Pooh stories contain many teachings of Buddhism...?

I had a little book on it...but at the time I was a student and pooh poohed it (scuse the pun, couldnt resist :D )
but I think I might go and dig it out, see if my mind is more receptive to it! :thumbs:

[hollygolightly]

Originally posted by Annabel@31st January 2005 - 9:42 PM
...have any of you heard that the theories that the Winnie the Pooh stories contain many teachings of Buddhism...?

I had a little book on it...93330


This the one (http://www.wisdom-books.com/ProductDetail.asp?CatNumber=1957)? :unsure: :)

[sickofhull]

wow! never knew that.
let us know about the book won't you.
cheers :)

( one post later)
just viewed link, never read winnie the pooh- think i might now.

taopooh- ace! :D

[Annabel]

:) Thats the one!!! :thumbs:

[Wombat25]

As you seem keen on the idea of good overcoming evil and if you like reading about other people's lives then Dave Pelzer's 'My Story' is the best autobiography under this category I've ever read. Yes, I have read l few! :thumbs:

[sickofhull]

hi wombat25!
just looked in penguin books for the title but could only find the author( maybe it's very new?) the man himself sounds like a very interesting person & i'll definitely look out for his autobiography.
cheers! :)

[sickofhull]

Cheers Hazelnut!
found it on your link- it's a compilation of three of his autobiographical books.
sounds like a pretty inspirational stuff :) .

[sickofhull]

2 books left of the C.S. lewis comp. just thought i'd say, anyone not into theology should try " till we have faces" it's allegorical christian stuff but also just a really good story- kind of adult narnia.
Won't ruin it but it's loosley about 3 daughters of a mythical king( homeresque- times)The story is told by one of these & is of how she is seperated from the sister she loved most & comes to blame the gods.
After becoming queen she tries to find her but despairs of ever seeing her again,
many twists & turns in the plot & you really don't know what he's trying to put across till the very end- really good stuff.

[sickofhull]

Been reading stacks of stuff recently- helps me keep my mind off troubles.
Most of it's been theology or philosophy so i won't bore you too much with all of them :yawn: :D
I did read Dantes divine comedy a while back & although it's theology(poetic) it is just such a fantasic book.
there are three parts to it,
inferno
purgatorio
paradisio

the inferno's a description of hell & probably should be avoided by anyone feeling stressed out or of a nervous disposition( possibly the least accomplished of the three, anyway) you can get the three books seperately.
As the names suggest the other two are descriptions of the writers dream journey's through purgatory & heaven.
even if your not religous these are really beautifully written, extraordinary books- well worth a look.

Another was Chestertons The eternal man.
This is a defence of christianity & although dated does make some brilliant points & observations.
It's not heavy theology- just the writers personal thoughts- at some points i almost cheered, stirring stuff! :D :victory:
cheers!