Scottish, Once Again

In typical bureaucratic fashion, the Library of Congress changed their catalog system and swept 700 years of Scottish literary tradition under the heading of "English." Thankfully, the ire of the Scots has made them reconsider and to restore Scottish literature as its own literary heritage. The Washington Post has an article here.

Current Reading

Following are the books I'm using in an Epiphany Term class on Feasting.

Reading Statistics

If you have read one book in the last year, you have read more than 25% of the people in Great Britain, according to a report from the Office of National Statistics. Thirty-three percent of adults had not bought a book in the previous twelve months, and thirty-four percent said that they did not read books at all. Almost half of males between the ages of 16-24 had not read a book in the previous year.

Another survey indicates that the parents or guardians of one third of British children never read them a bedtime story. In the United States, only 53% of children aged 3 to 5 were read to daily by a family member.

The lowering of literacy levels cannot help but have a detrimental effect on a clear understanding of doctrinal issues and the ability to learn Biblical truth from reading.

Steinway Documentary

Film maker Ben Niles is screening his documentary Note by Note: The Making of the Steinway L1037. It's a look at the making of a specific Steinway 9 foot grand from the milling of the wood to its final form. The Boston Globe has a short review of the film.

Review of Modern Parables

I recently wrote a review for Reformation21 about Modern Parables, a series of short films and lessons. I am currently using these films in a Sunday School class and am having wonderful feedback as well as in-class discussion.