Faith in Silas Marner

Did the miser, Silas Marner, recover his faith in God? George Eliot's novel tells of a miser who hoards gold and is redeemed by taking in and raising an orphaned child. Anyone can see why such a story would be regarded as a story of faith, even a Christian story, though Eliot herself was not … Continue reading Faith in Silas Marner →

Modern parenting in Silas Marner

It does make a difference to re-read a book after 40 years, especially if you've become a parent in that time. I was about 14 when I first read George Eliot's "Silas Marner," and I recall being moved or disturbed by many things in the story. But the mere fact that Silas raises a child … Continue reading Modern parenting in Silas Marner →

The Weaver of Raveloe

I'm re-reading George Eliot's "Silas Marner," almost forty years since first reading it in grade-school. I've just started, so this post won't be a full review. I'm going to share some of the reading experience I've had thus far, both by myself and with my kids, who've shocked me a bit by asking me to … Continue reading The Weaver of Raveloe →

Book of Job illustrated by William Blake

Below is the King James text of the Book of Job, with illustrations of William Blake's twenty-two engraved prints. I've inserted the illustrations almost entirely in Blake's original order. Plate 2, which depicts Job's happy former life, I've used both in the prologue and in Chapter 29, when Job recalls that lost time of his … Continue reading Book of Job illustrated by William Blake →

The Sire of Sorrow (Job’s Sad Song)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_n87NtpaWo Song by Joni Mitchell Let me speakLet me spit out my bitternessBorn of grief and nights without sleepAnd festering fleshDo you have eyes?Can you see like mankind sees?Why have you soured and curdled me?Oh, you tireless watcherWhat have I done to you?That you make everything I dread and everything I fearCome trueOnce I was … Continue reading The Sire of Sorrow (Job’s Sad Song) →

Orion, the Bear and the Pleiades (Job 38)

I have an old telescope, through which I've spent many hours observing and photographing the sky. An old blog of mine, Catching the Sky, has many of my photos and observations. I've been looking through my photos and journals in recent days, partly inspired by Tom McLeish's book, Faith and Wisdom in Science. His book … Continue reading Orion, the Bear and the Pleiades (Job 38) →

Reading to my kids

I've been reading the Birchbark House series to my kids, before bedtime. I read the series myself a year ago but reading it to them I've experienced these stories through their eyes, and they have been enthralled. We've read to my son practically since he was born and he's always loved it. Even now at … Continue reading Reading to my kids →

Edward Greenstein’s reading of Job

Back in December I read a recent translation of the Book of Job, by Professor Edward L. Greenstein. It's an iconoclastic translation in which Job remains unrepentant even after God's speeches. I liked Greenstein's translation of the poetry of Job, and I'll end this post with a taste of that. First I'd like like to … Continue reading Edward Greenstein’s reading of Job →

Robert Alter’s reading of Proverbs

I am at the moment still studying the Book of Job, but I wanted to make a quick note on an insight I picked up concerning Proverbs. Proverbs is sometimes thought to offer simplistic morality, in which the righteous are rewarded for their faith in God and the wicked are reliably punished. When I read … Continue reading Robert Alter’s reading of Proverbs →

Tom McLeish on Science and the Book of Job

Tom McLeish's blog, Faith and Wisdom In Science, offers a scientist's perspective on the Book of Job. As a believer and scientist, McLeish argues that there is no necessary conflict between religion and science, which is a welcome message in these times. He has a lot of material on the Book of Job. He writes … Continue reading Tom McLeish on Science and the Book of Job →