This is the second book in The Church and Postmodern Culture series put out by Baker. I mentioned the first volume in the January 08 reading list. If you have read Caputo before well….this is vintage. He is always dense though not obtuse, insightfully deep, and often will surprise you. Taking Sheldon’s simple classic In His Steps as an extended illustration, Caputo uses this as an illustration of how deconstruction as event takes place. If that last line makes absolutely no sense to you, I will refrain from deconstructing it and let you get the book. For those unfamiliar with deconstruction and the primary sources of Lyotard and Derrida this is a great primer. Caputo sees postmodernism as good news for the church (which is the sub-title of the book) This double entendre use of good news is how he uses language throughout the book and it often caused me to pause and think. This is a great piece to read with staff and key leadership if you want to understand our landscape better.
I have been a huge Tony Buzan fan for years. He is my mind mapping mentor and one of the founders or articulators of this creative art/science. This book combines the best blend of NLP, mind mapping, brain science, and tips for effectiveness within two covers. There isn’t a sustained argument or theory of leadership put forth but for personal best practice leadership actions it is well worth it. Buzan is a genius and his material is always valuable. You can also find his mind map software on the internet. Worth the time and slightly pricey cost.
Over all health, wellness and longevity has been and still is a craze in our culture. This book just came out and is a study in genuine integration. The blue zones are 4 regions in the world have a 3x higher rate of centenarians (100+ year olds) than any other place in the world. His interest and research on this was first published as a cover article on National Geographic, no slouchy dude for sure. His research expanded as did his team and we now have the 4 global blue zones and the 9 common principles that lead not just to longevity but to good years in your older years. The question isn’t will you live long but what will the quality of those years be IF you live long. The reason I am so interested in this book is it makes the issues of community, purpose and pace in life and deep relationships as critical in the longevity equation as nutrition and exercise. My best buddy and I are thinking retirement to one of the blue zones where we teach yoga and have a tapas bar would be about the perfect ticket. I will let you guess which blue zone we are thinking about.
This book holds special interest to me because of the work I am just finishing on my next book where I talk a bit about theosis, the Christian idea from the Eastern Church about becoming god(like). Theosis/divinization has a long Christian history and this book traces it’s development and theological shape. Why is this book important? Because our cultural is having theosis conversations all the time. Oprah and Eckart Tolle’s webcast is a theosis conversation. Why not really understand the theological issues and engage the conversation from a stance of being informed instead of reactionary?
