My observation is that persons who 1) heal/adjust the most rapidly from their JW experience and 2) seem to have the most joy in life are those who read, read, read, in pursuit of what I call nourishment for the spirit.
I've really enjoy the pithy aphorisms you use here, which suggests you've distilled some wisdom from somewhere.
I'm going to ask your help in this thread. What book or books have you read that have really enlightened or intrigued you? And could you comment on what you gleaned from them? A long list of names and titles is easy; kernels of truth are more rare. Aim for the latter.
I’m regularly asked to recommend books that provide solid Biblical scholarship, especially in view of our JW disenchantment. I'm going to start with this short list:
"An Introduction to New Testament Christology," by Raymond Edward Brown. Paulist Press, 1994. In paperback for less than ten dollars. After reading it, persons invariably write me that this introduction to excellence in scholarship was a memorable experience, both Christians and agnostics. Stuff that's there but you never noticed. You won't want to tolerate a lesser level; he raises the bar high.
Brown's "Introduction to the New Testament," part of the Anchor Bible Reference Library series, is an excellent introduction to the Greek Scriptures. I marveled at his massively detailed works "Birth of the Messiah" and "Death of the Messiah." The depth of his thinking was vastly superior to what I had been exposed to in the top levels of the organization. I met this preeminent scholar just before his death, and I found him to be as humble as he was brilliant. Refreshing.
For the Old Testament or Hebrew Scriptures I highly recommend "Understanding the Old Testament," by Bernhard W. Anderson and Darr. Make sure you get the new Abridged Fourth Edition; Prentice-Hall, 1998. Lets the text speak for itself but lets the chips fall where they may, with archaeological findings, contributions of sociology, Near East culture, and so on. Lots of exhibits and pictures.
Lawrence Boadt has written "Reading the Old Testament, an Introduction," Paulist Press, 1984 or later edition. Particularly illuminating about the way Israel’s religious experience was translated into written records.
A real treat is "The Torah, a Modern Commentary," by W. Gunter Plaut, Union of American Hebrew Congregations, 1981. Lots of insight into origins, thought processes, culture. I think I'll post some material from his preface, which I found to be the best insight into why a non-literal understanding of the Pentateuch is the keystone of Jewish scholarship today.
Really heavy duty is "Introduction to the Old Testament as Scripture," by Brevard S. Childs, Professor of Old Testament, Yale University, School of Divinity. Fortress Press, 1979 or later editions.
Now. What has helped you? What have you enjoyed. Book,author. His/her thoughts. Doesn't have to be religious, just upbuilding or enlightening.
In an attempt to be positive as well as helpful,
Maximus