John Terpstra. Skin Boats: Acts of Faith and Other Navigations. Gaspereau Press, 2009
First, I must admit that I am biased when looking at this book. I have only met him once, but John Terpstra is distantly related so, in an effort for full disclosure, I admit that I am, by default, a fan of his work.
But regardless, Skin Boats is a delightful reflection on faith and life. John interweaves his own story with that of his local church, the members thereof, and the saints Cuthbert and Brendan to bring the reader on a journey through the sometimes rocky territory of what it means to be a person of faith.
The book reads as a stream of consciousness, shifting effortlessly between the various narratives and weaving those narratives together. His honest reflections on church, religion and faith articulate many of the questions and struggles that arise when one attempt to live an examined life of faith, while at the same time reminding the reader of the communal nature of faith. It is a book that needs to be experienced, more than just read. And so, to entice you to find a copy of this books, here is a small quotation
I have thought this about the G-word: it is an acronym, a three-letter signifier of the kind that is used for an international corporation. The corporation is made up of many smaller branch companies and groups of companies. Each company runs independently and is allowed to maintain its own particular identity. Each has little knowledge of its sister organizations, but is confident that it has a direct line to head office.
I have thought: it is a non-name which has become a name; it is a verbal touchstone for what is ultimately nameless.
I have thought: and yet we bandy about the name, or non-name, as though we knew all that it meant.
No comments:
Post a Comment