Book Review: Oriented by Gordon C. Harris

I was tempted to review the book in the same style in which it is written… I pick up the book expecting not to finish. “Just read a chapter or two;” I have been told, and the publisher places no onus or expectation on me to write a review. But I keep turning the page wondering where the author will head next. I’m looking for a good hook for an article. Wondering, given the Genesis theme, where he lands on the creation/evolution spectrum. There is too much to think about here for binge reading. The book becomes a take-to-work companion and earns a coveted spot on my bedside table; the books I read last at night and first at dawn. The author has claimed a captive…

 

I’m always a little skeptical when a publisher suggests that, “If you enjoyed ___________ …” then I will enjoy the book being sent to me for review. In this case the book was being compared to Donald Miller, who brought a unique outlook to the world of Christian writing, and Ann Voskamp, whose blog I am quite familiar with but whose books I have never read.

But the comparison to Miller holds, and holds well; and I would toss in a Zondervan author, Tyler Blanski while we’re at it. That present-tense voicing that sweeps you into the action and an almost stream-of-consciousness style that isn’t bound by tight chronologies or fear of tangential digression. The type of title that takes you on a journey with the author to an undetermined destination.

In this case, the book is Oriented: Making Sense of the World and Your Place Within It; the author, Gordon C. Harris, is self-described as “a modern contemplative teacher and theologian” who coordinates curriculum development for Catch The Fire, a large church in west Toronto formerly known as the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship. Catch The Fire is also the publisher and distributor of the book.*

The overarching focus is the first eleven chapters of Genesis. The various themes it suggests. The many ways in which the author interacts with those concepts. Harris has 15 years pastoral experience and has a Masters in Theology and is working on a PhD in theological studies. So this is an informed look at the earliest accounts of scripture, but not a commentary. It’s more subjective — almost autobiographical — dealing with the author’s responses to the narrative. Somewhat poetic, it belongs in a literary section of Christian bookstores that does not yet exist.

Below is a short excerpt reading by the author. You’ll also find eight more video clips and more about the book at this link.

* If your favorite bookseller needs to know, give them this information for ordering:

ISBN 9781894310765 | $14.99 US | paperback | Canadian orders: Atwell Books | Author’s blog

Wednesday Link List

Yes, it’s true; Target does have people who visit Wal-Mart and link list creators do drop in on other link lists to see what’s making the rounds. If you find yourself craving more of this sort of thing by Saturday, two of my weekend favorites are the Saturday Ramblings at Internet Monk and the Saturday Links at DashHouse. I only borrowed one from iMonk, but linked three stories from church planter Darryl Dash, so this week’s lengthy intro was mostly guilt-induced. Clicking anything below will take you to PARSE, the Link List Overlords; then click the stories you want to read there.

• Are some prominent pastors’ sermon series timed to coincide with national release dates for their latest book?
• Some students at Gordon College didn’t connect at all with the gospel-styled worship leader at chapel services…
• …which led this pastor with a broad church background to write about the value of denomination hopping.
• A long-running Canadian Christian talk show, 100 Huntley Street is entering the U.S. market with a distinct American edition and Eric Metaxas as co-host.  Teaser/sample: Metaxas on The Quirky Bible. Long form sample: Interview with Mark Burnett & Roma Downey.
• With fact-checkers like this out there, if I were Ergun Caner, I might never utter another word.
• The American Humanist Association successfully got a memorial cross removed from public property in California, but a number of others quickly replaced it in protest.
• The United Methodist pastor who officiated at his gay son’s wedding and was then defrocked now has a book deal.
• I normally have an aversion to articles that start with a number (“7 Must-Implement Church Growth Ideas”) but I do want to recommend 10 Signs You Might Be A Legalist…
• …From the same author, Jeremy Myers, check out his list of offbeat sources for church demographics. (Don’t miss the map on the Forbes link.)
• Buried in this story is a suggestion from Pope Francis that what Pope Benedict did by resigning should be normative, thus making Pope Emeritus a more frequent designation.
• A pregnancy center in Buffalo, New York is offering both birthing services and abortions in the same building, believed to be the first such facility in the U.S.
• Quote of the Week: “First-world believers are ‘right-handed’ readers interpreting a message written to the spiritually and socio-economically ‘left-handed.” Read the rest!
• Post-debate discussions on creation continue; this one on the age of the earth particularly resonated with me.
• And this story happened literally close to home: Canadian broadcaster Lorna Dueck’s story on the 20th anniversary of the Toronto Blessing. (Though she avoided the topic of the role of Rodney Howard-Browne and “holy laughter.”)
• Justin and Trisha Davis take a brief look at the value of separation after an affair for the purpose of achieving reconciliation.
• The Mormon Church has issued a statement to help clarify some elements of its doctrine considered outlandish by non-LDS members.
• Short Essay of the Week: An open apology to local congregations by Katelyn Beaty.
• Long Essay of the Week: An insider look at sexual temptation in the homeschool community.
• Essay Runner-Up: “…now, most of us live public lives on a worldwide forum.” With Facebook and Twitter, we’re all celebrities now.
• John Ortberg’s PCUSA congregation becomes the second mega-sized church to exit that denomination, but at great financial cost. (If you have 30 minutes, click the sermon audio link.)
• The pastor of a 3,000 member megachurch in Sweden and his wife have resigned and become Roman Catholics.
• Women’s Corner: Does embracing Biblical submission mean this writer might as well quit med school?
• Analogy of the Week: Rinse-and-spit devotional time.
• Want to expand your weekly podcast experience? Try the Christian Podcast Directory.
• If even half of these stories are true, British church organists are up to a lot of mischief.
• Metaphor of the Month: The long forgotten analogy of the pastor as fisherman. (Ideally, the pastor and everyone else, too.)
• Life at Christian Colleges: Sometimes transportation issues leave younger students no choice, but there are reasons to pass on the church all the other students attend. (The article was written more for graduate students, but has broader application.)
• From the wife of a well-known pastor, five (or maybe seven) things kids should know before heading to college.
• Imitation is the highest form of flattery, right? First there was Not a Fan and now there is Unfollowers, a new title from Wesleyan Books. (But that said, I just ordered a copy!)
• The east edition of the Creation Festival will include Tullian Tchvidjian, Eric Ludy, and Jeff Bethke; and there are rumors they might also have some musicians.
• This writer creates a Mark Driscoll catalog of offenses…
• …However, two voices that have not been heard, plus an ironic picture.
• Finally, here’s a classic, one-minute movie clip that you must watch full screen. (Thanks to this sleuth blogger!)

The Wednesday Link List is a production of Paul Wilkinson with proofreading assistance from Mrs. W. who is actually the better writer in the family.