Norse Mythology and Christology

 When I was young, I loved Norse mythology; it occurred in a fascinating world of gods and giants and men and dwarves. Thus, not long after getting my Kindle, I downloaded a collection of Norse tales for free, but I'd never gotten around to reading them. So, they'd sat in my 'read next' collection for a long time. Since I haven't had anything else that I felt like starting in the last week or so, I've been wandering my way through the tales of Asgard and Midgard and Jotunheim again; it has been fun reading both familiar and unfamiliar tales.

 A friend recently commented to me that given the nature of these sorts of ancients myths and the intelligence of the tellers, we should probably accept such mythologies in the non-serious, enjoyable way they appear to be written, not as the 'religious' texts of the ancients. They seem much more like our modern superhero tales, which also incidentally include Thor and his hammer.

 Anyways, tonight, I came across the quote below,

Two only went on another way—Odin, the Eldest of the Gods, and Loki the Mischievous. 

Loki and Odin laid aside all that they had kept of the divine power and the divine strength. They were going into the World of Men, and they would be as men merely.

- Colum, Padraic. The Children of Odin The Book of Northern Myths (p. 69). 

 For those who think in terms of Jesus' kenosis, his self-emptying or making himself nothing, this is an interesting literary event. Loki and Odin have their own version of emptying themselves of their deity. Yet, they went as 'men merely'; Jesus came as 'the Messiah, the Son of God,' no longer grasping his divinity but not merely a man. It would be of some interest to know the age of these tales which Colum published in 1920.

 Also, incidentally, in this same tale, "The Dwarf's Hoard, and the Curse that it Brought," is an account of a ring of power with runes on it, rather reminiscent of Tolkien, though this story obviously long preceded his.

2017 Recommended Reading

The recommendations I can make based on my reading this year may be even more eclectic than usual this year.

Theology: I try to pick one major work of theology a year to read, and then others pop up along the way.

 The Resurrection of the Son of God by N.T. Wright - I haven't read any of Wright's other main works, but this was a powerful book that was worth all of the time that I invested in it. Highly recommend! (related post)

Jonathan Edwards on the Atonement by Brandon Crawford - This was a book that dealt with the biblical matters of 'honor' and 'shame' from an entirely different context than most of my other reading on the topic. It also held interest as the work of a friend. (related post)

 Sharing Abraham? by George Bristow - This book discusses the similarities and differences between biblical and kuranic views of Abraham, particularly in their narratives and how those narratives are used. It provides a great guide to what the Kuran and Bible say about Abraham.


Fiction: I read lots of fiction; here are the best two from this year's new reads.

 San Andreas by Alistair MacLean - I've read his books for years, but somehow I seem to have missed this one.

 Sandworms of Dune - Brian Herbert & Kevin Anderson - a worthwhile read, written with Frank Herbert's notes, it did not disappoint.

BONUS: Children's Fiction
 The Book with No Pictures - This book was an instant classic in our house. I had to make the kids listen to it the first time (by command: "Sit"). The instant it finished, they begged for me to read it again... and then kept making any guests who spoke English read it to them, too, for days. (Really, it has NO pictures!)

English Teaching - I started an MA in English Teaching this year, and there are tons of good resources out there. However, most of my favorites so far have been journal articles.

  Techniques and Principles in Language Teaching by Larsen-Freeman and Anderson - This book is an exception to my general preference for articles on TESL. It clearly shows a way through the various methods that are, or have been, in vogue. I find myself referring back to it when I need clarity on things I want to try or methods I want to experiment with.

Biography/History

  Lost in Translation by Eva Hoffman - This was required MA reading about culture and language learning at the experiential level. It was beautiful; my copy is highlighted throughout. It resonates deeply with me as a TCK. Eva is a child when she moves from her home in a Communist land into the vast capitalism of Canada and the USA. Language and culture shake the worlds in and around her, resolving slowly, but never quitting. (3 post related to this: one, two, three)

 1948 by Benny Morris - It was recommended to me as a book, written by an Israeli professor, that someone inclined towards a Palestinian point of view would recommend to a friend inclined towards an Israeli point of view, who would then recommend it to others. It was insightful and informative from many perspectives.


Favorite new music for the year:

 Stirling EQ Afrikaans, the Prince of Egypt soundtrack, anything by JJ Heller, and This Christmas Time by Take no Glory


Recommendations from years past: 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011