Apr 19, 2012 Posted by bsoist

You Call that a Kiss?

I finished the book last Tuesday. I remember the day because we had planned to see the movie that day for “buy one ticket, get one free” night and I knew I had to read the book first. I actually had just less than a page to read when Terri parked at the theater. The Hunger Games is set in Panem, a country that rose from the ashes of a post-apocalyptic North America. Panem is ruled by The... read more

Jul 21, 2011 Posted by bsoist

Christianity and Liberalism

Last week I finished Christianity and Liberalism for a Reading Classics Together series. This was my second reading of the book and what fascinated me was how apropos the book is almost 90 years after it was written. Truly there is nothing new under the sun. The struggle for truth is still the same as it always has been. In chapter one, Introduction and Doctrine, Machen proposes that Liberalism is not... read more

Jun 23, 2011 Posted by bsoist

Book Review: Waiting for “Superman”

Waiting for “SUPERMAN”: How We Can Save America’s Failing Public Schools, the companion book to the film, was an excellent addition to the film. I was pleased to learn more about the filmmakers, the making of the film, the issues raised in the film, and the people I met watching it. The film’s director and producer, as well as several of the educators and experts featured in the... read more

Jun 21, 2011 Posted by bsoist

Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?

I didn’t pay much attention to this question until recently. Because I knew the answer Until very recently, my answer was “no.” Now, my answer is “yes AND no.” I know some of you will think that’s the easy way out but I think I can explain. If you give me a couple of days. I remember learning in college that one of the gravest mistakes made by Western Christian... read more

Jun 16, 2011 Posted by bsoist

The Monks of Tibhirine

I had the opportunity recently to see Of Gods and Men, a French film about a community of Trappist monks in Algeria who had a decision to make – a decision to stay and minister in the face of increasing danger or abandon their Muslim neighbors. I vaguely remember the story from the news but I didn’t think twice about the men until I saw the film. I’ll post my review of the film on... read more