A Great Summer!
Today is my first day back after a few weeks of summer vacation — and it was a good one. Our family spent a few weeks away in Nova Scotia. What a quiet, beautiful part of Canada! Then I spent a weekend in Edmonton for my 20 year class reunion. That was also an enjoyable time.
Over my vacation, I did some reading. George Marsden’s epic biography of Jonathan Edwards was remarkable. I loved it. I think it’s time to start reading some Edwards. I also started reading John Updike’s novel Roger’s Version. Unfortunately, it soon degenerated into pornographic smut and so I didn’t finish it. Not recommended. Much better was David Gessner’s Soaring with Fidel. I enjoy birding and I love reading travelogues and this book deftly combines the two.
I also watched The Geneva Reformer: John Calvin. I was hoping to be able to use this with one of my catechism classes this coming year. What a disappointment! If I were to show this to my catechism students, I would likely turn them off from church history forever. There are not only concerns about the presentation style, but also the content. The presenter, Dr. Gary Crampton, used to be a Presbyterian pastor, but turned Baptist some years ago. Hence, we hear that the London Baptist Confession of 1689 is “a solidly biblical confession.” I don’t think Calvin would agree. Anyway, if you’re ever tempted to pick this one up, take my advice and pass on it. It’s not worth it.
I decided to pick up the Edwards bio again. Glad to hear you’re back in the saddle!
Wes, I too have read some John Updike. His early work was often good, though I’ve always found his prose a bit too … hmm … I don’t have a word for it. Fussy, maybe? All of his characters, narrators, etc., speak the same way he writes, and it’s a bit much.
Recently, I read David Foster Wallace’s essay on Updike in his book Consider the Lobster, and I thought it was spot on. Here’s the earlier version of it, for your enjoyment: http://www.badgerinternet.com/~bobkat/observer1.html
John Barach
I should hasten to add that the essay, while I believe it’s on target, contains some strong language, especially when quoting Updike.
John Barach