Monday, December 11, 2006

Amazing Grace

I just finished reading Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith by Kathleen Norris (New York: Riverhead, 1998). I read it in bits and pieces over a period of seven weeks so any overall image or impression is diluted with time. I liked most of what she had to say. She's a poet, not a studied theologian, so it's a refreshing view of Christianity from a laywoman's perspective rather than a "professional" theologian which most of the "churchy" books I read come from.

One thing I did notice. Almost every example she used of Lutherans was negative. I don't know what Lutherans in South Dakota are doing but they don't seem to be making a very good impression on Norris.

All in all, it's a good read, giving some insight into a woman's faith and doubt and frustration and conversion. I'd heard about the book for years and had always meant to pick it up one day. It's one I'll refer back to in years to come.

1 comment:

LutherPunk said...

Have you read Cloister Walk or Dakota, also by Norris? I liked both of those more than Amazing Grace (though I also really liked Amazing Grace).