From Silence to Song - Peter Leithart
Peter Leithart in 2003 published his wonderful book, From Silence To Song: The Davidic Liturgical Revolution, which exegetically and theologically demonstrates the importance of David’s tabernacle worship on Mount Zion, both to Old Covenant and New Covenant worship. While I am not convinced of Leithart’s entire thesis (i.e. I think his arguement that weekly worship before David did not involve singing is an arugement from silence, and seems unlikely to me considering the fact that we have songs given to us previous David that were sung in a worship context), Leithart’s work is unique and groundbreaking in terms of its discription of the importance of Davidic worship prophetically.This book is must reading for all serious students of the Bible and its teaching on music in the church.
Last week an article was published by Leithart in First Things, How the Church Lost Her Soundscape, about contemporary Christian worship music. He introduced his subject by saying, “I am not assessing the quality, theology, or sincerity of contemporary worship music. I merely observe the fact, and offer a preliminary interrogation of its cultural sources and effects. What ideas, standards, and forces shape liturgical music? And, what does the church’s musical culture say about the church and its future?”
” Culture is a gift from the old to the young, and the younger generation’s grateful reception is a sign of honor for fathers. Cultural transmission has been thrown into reverse, also in the church.”
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Tags: Books, Culture, First Things, music, Peter Leithart, worship
It amazes me how God chooses to bless some businesses with such phenomenal success in such a short time. He uses these companies to enrich the world, and especially His people, with goods and services that they people may not otherwise be able to have. Amazon.com is providing so many things for so many people at such good prices that I feel it worth taking a moment to acknowledge God’s goodness to His people through this means. I know this seems a bit strange. But think about it – Isn’t it good and proper to be thankful at all times for how God blesses us? I have no idea if the founders and leaders of Amazon.com are Christians – but all blessings that come to us are from the hand of God.
This visually represents the tremendous growth and reach of Amazon.com in their short 17 years.
I still like to order books, more often than not, from my favorite local Christian book store (brick and mortar & online), Exodus Books so that I can be a blessing to my friends. I would encourage everyone to check them out by clicking their link to the right in the side bar. They are wonderful people and are providing an excellent service to the Christian and homeschool community.
Tags: Amazon.com, Books
For all you other “Biblio-Wonks” out there – Here is a fun tool provided by SF Signalfor seeing the recommendations of NPR’s listeners of the top ranked science fiction and fantasy books of all time. Fun Hint: When you click on the pictures below it will take you to the site – then enlarge the picture again on the site and follow the flowcharts to various recommendations.
FLOWCHART: Navigating NPR's Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
They also have an even more interactive version:
An Interactive Guide to NPR's List of Top 100 Science Fiction and Fantasy Books
[As an added bonus - These guys also have a Flowchart to help you decide Which SciFi Series Should You Watch on NetFlix.]
SciFi Series of Netflix Flowchart
Some of my favorite Fantasy and SciFi authors (in no particular order):
Orson Scott Card
Stephen R. Lawhead
Isaac Asimov
Ray Bradbury
Gene Wolfe
C.S. Lewis
J.R.R. Tolkien
Cordwainer Smith
J.K. Rowling
Frank Herbert
{My Goodreads shelf for Fantasy & SciFi}
Tags: Books, C.S. Lewis, Cordwainer Smith, fantasy, Frank Herbert, Gene Wolfe, Isaac Asimov, J.K. Rowling, Orson Scott Card, Ray Bradbury, Science Fiction, Stephen Lawhead
In recent years there has been a renewed interest in biblical and historical liturgical studies in Reformed circles. From a symposium sponsored by The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship James K.A. Smith gave this excellent presentation of a biblical motivation for worship.
Smith is the author of a recent book called Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation (Cultural Liturgies) that comes highly recommended to me, and is on my reading list. 
Tags: Books, James K.A. Smith, worship
My brother-in-law, David Spears, recently encouraged us to put our Advent & Christmas Family Worship booklet on Amazon.com in Kindle format to give it a wider circulation. My dear wife has made it happen, and it is now available for download for all you Kindle users. He has been marketing his wife Rosanne’s book, I Serve, with some considerable success.
The book is still available from Doorposts.
[Funny thing: I typed my name into the Amazon.com search, and up it came! Somehow, it seems to me that once Amazon.com recognizes your name - you have finally attained to a new level of notoriety. But of course, how pathetic is it that someone would actually do this!]
Tags: Advent, Books, Christmas
The former presiding minister of the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Churches, Randy Booth, compiled “Readings and Devotions for Advent, the Twelve Days of Christmas and Epiphany” with contributions from various pastors of the CREC. It is available free of charge!
It is available from Doorposts, the family business of one of the families of Reformation Covenant Church. The Forster family has been a blessing to home school families accross the country.
Tags: Advent, Books, Christmas, devotionals, Epiphany, family worship
