The Problem of Evil

Wow. This Augustine book may be short (69 pages), but there is so much. I can only read a few pages at a time before having to pause and reflect, and I'm marking the pages up like crazy. A tough but good little read.

He is referred to as a "philosophical heavyweight" on the back cover of my edition, and that's probably putting it mildly. The chapters on the existence of evil are especially plenty to consider... Augustine makes the proposition that if evil is the absence or diminishing of good, then it cannot exist without good. So, "two contraries cannot coexist in a single thing. Nevertheless, while no one maintains that good and evil are not contraries, they cannot only coexist, but the evil cannot exist at all without the good, or in a thing that is not a good." (Augustine, 16)

So by that reasoning, creation (people included) is essentially "good," evil is the good diminished or suppressed... but good cannot be completely eradicated from the creature or it would cease to exist. After all, we can't know what evil is without good to compare it to, just as one can't fully appreciate perfect health without ever being sick or injured.

Hmm.

Not sure I totally agree with him yet, but it's a unique perspective anyway, and I can't fault the logic. If anything, it really sheds some light on the great question of why God would let evil exist.

This is my first attempt at reading Augustine, and the first impression... he is definitely more of a philosopher, but from a Christian/Catholic perspective. I like it. It's a little book, but the words are profound.

Further thoughts to come, I'm sure. It is forcing me to pay attention to every word, digest it slowly, think hard... kind of nice and refreshing.

No, comic books don't count.

I was asked today how far I was in the 50 books goal. "Oh, I think around 12 or so. :D"

After deciding that, no, I'm not going to count graphic novels (sorry sis...), and updating the list accordingly, I am actually arouuuunnnnnd....

10.

With 4 in progress. One an ongoing Bible study, one I keep getting bored with, and two I just started.

Lack of focus maybe?

So, I apologize. I did not deliberately lie about where I was. My list really did say 12 at one point today, but I am fickle with my definition of "book."

And, apparently, a lazy reader these days.

But hey! I did start Saint Augustine's Handbook on Faith, Hope, and Love, and it's good good stuff so far. And at just under a hundred pages, it should be a quick read. :)

As for my missing Crowder/Cobble/Spurgeon books... e-mailed the store and they're on backorder. Okay. Feeling better now.

Bah.

So, I got the aforementioned Relevant Store shipment today, right? Awesome. I can't wait to start on the Foundations of the Faith series.

The problem? 3 of my books are missing! :( I guess they got left out in whatever moving chaos might be happening there. So sad...

However, I did get a free Kendall Payne CD and sticker tossed in for spending more than $20. That was nice. I already had the CD, but hey, it's one of my favorites, and I'd be glad to share the Kendall joy. :)

Behind in Sorceror's Stone already. D'oh. Catch-up night ahead.

Bummed.

Yes. After updating my Status List, I discovered that I am indeed very far behind on my reading.

But I will get back on track, and I will finish 50 books! *positive thinking*

Overdue Update

Well. Haven't posted in a while. And slacking a bit on reading lately. :(

I started trying to get back into Eldest so I can be finished and done with it.

I finished To Own a Dragon then immediately dove into Love is a Mixtape, finishing it off within a week of buying it. Overall, it was a fairly good read. I just wish I had posted after finishing it when I could still remember what I thought...

Just bought, like, 8 books from the Relevant Store moving sale: The Foundations of Faith set (6 classic books on the Christian faith that I've been wanting to read anyway), Here's to Hindsight, and Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (but Nobody Wants to Die). Throw in a couple of CDs, and you get the odd mix of "Yay, I got all this stuff for the cheap with free shipping too!" and buyer's remorse. Yes, books and music are my vice. ^^;;

And finally... I found this on LiveJournal:

It seemed like a great idea, so I decided to follow along! Yes yes, this gives me nothing but Harry Potter from now until July 21, but I really did want to re-read the whole thing before Deathly Hallows comes out, and it's only a 1-2 chapter a day commitment. I figure on a schedule like that, I can keep up with the group, not get too "Pottered out," and still read some other things along the way.

Plus, that's 6 more books toward the 50 goal.

So. I'm feeling like abandoning Eldest again, but I shall stick it out and finish, darnit! :P

Speaking of which... Roran and Katrina's melodramatic pledges of undying love and devotion to each other made me giggle inside. Almost as much as the scene in the movie where Eragon blurts out, "But I have skills!"

Sometimes I wish I weren't such a critic.... :)