Theology on the Radio?

Well, almost. The speaking of faith web site, link above, has articles and radio programs on theology, including an interview on the theology of communion.

Kierkegaard on the reading of difficult passages from Scripture

I will extend heart-felt and repeated thanks to anyone who can point me towards the specific reference where Kierkegaard discusses the reading of difficult vs. clear passages of Scripture.

If my memory hasn't totally corrupted this, I remember him making the point that if we encounter difficult passages in scripture, we shouldn't spend overly much time trying to puzzle them out. This can be a distraction from simply allowing straightforward and clear texts of Scripture to confront and challenge us. If we understand a portion of Scripture, we should just then do it, live into it, without a lot of monkeying around trying to work out what it means, and in that way wheedle out of doing/living it.

Thanks in advance for any references you can provide, those of you with a better memory for finding passages in K's works. I knew I should have been using Endnote!

Parenting

Our son was born on November 11th, and since that time blogging has taken, for obvious reasons, secondary place to such things as diaper changing, night time comforting, and general family bonding. We are so thankful to the Lord for this precious gift. Happy Thanksgiving, and blessings to all at the beginning of this Advent season.

Slow Man by Coetzee

Coetzee is on my short list of novelists to be read whenever they have a new novel that comes out. Others on this list include:

Wendell Berry
William Gibson
Louise Erdrich

There are probably others, but these four are way up there. I make no argument for the others that they are the "best" writers out there. I find them compelling for different reasons. Gibson because I love cyberpunk but need to limit how much I read. Berry because is local agrarian philosophy and evocation of a world I'd love to inhabit, Erdrich because her writing is beautiful and just different enough to push.

But Coetzee keeps going more and more out there, and I'm traveling with him. He's the only author I know of who seems to believe that literature is not salvific. Elizabeth Costello makes an appearance half-way through this novel, and won't go away, and this is exactly what is needed.

I need to find some folks to discuss this one with. It helps in reading this novel to go back and read Elizabeth Costello first, btw. And for those new to Coetzee, I recommend starting with Disgrace or one of his earlier works.