All Consuming : Christopher Hurtado

A story about "The Niche of Lights (Islamic Translation Series)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 06:15:02 GMT

The Niche of Lights (Islamic Translation Series)

by al-Ghazali

In The Niche of Lights, al-Ghazali, “The Alchemist of Happiness,” gives an exegesis of the Qur’anic Lights Verse (Q. 24:35) and the “Veils Hadith.” In doing so, he posits a metaphysics of light, including an ontology and epistemology, from a Sufi perspective. I enjoyed reading al-Ghazali’s The Niche of Lights as much as his autobiographical work, Deliverance from Error, and look forward to reading The Incoherence of the Philosophers. I also enjoyed The film Al-Ghazali: The Alchemist of Happiness by Ovidio Salazar.

A story about "Aristotle in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:55:16 GMT

Aristotle in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes)

by Paul Strathern

A short summary of Aristotle’s life and works. Includes a brief synopsis of the influence of Aristotelianism on Islamic philosophy and Christian theology, mentioning Neoplatonism, Averroes, Avicenna, and Aquinas.

A story about "Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 05:25:07 GMT

Dreams of Trespass: Tales of a Harem Girlhood

by Fatima Mernissi

Truth or fiction? You be the judge! The word “memoir” is printed on the back of the book. It is well written and says a lot between the lines. It is well worth reading for the questions is raises, if not the answers it proposes. I enjoyed reading it and recommend it too.

A story about "Dictionary Days: A Defining Passion"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 02:11:53 GMT

Dictionary Days: A Defining Passion

by Ilan Stavans

If like me, and Dictionary Days author, Ilan Stavans, you collect and read dictionaries and are passionate about language, this book is for you. It is a well written, entertaining, and informative meditation on dictionaries. I look forward to Ilan Stavan’s and Veronica Albin’s Love and Language due out October 28, 2008.

Why I gave up consuming "Easy Arabic Script"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:55:18 GMT

Easy Arabic Script

by Jane Wightwick

I learned the Arabic script using Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds.

A story about "Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:50:21 GMT

Understanding Arabs: A Guide for Modern Times

by Margaret K. Nydell

Required reading for anyone serious about understanding Arabs. Forget what you think you know about Arabs and find out what you didn’t know you didn’t know. This is the book on this subject.

Why I gave up consuming "Reading and Writing Chinese: A Guide to the Chinese Writing System"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:37:59 GMT

Reading and Writing Chinese: A Guide to the Chinese Writing System

by William McNaughton

I’ve decided to put studying Chinese on hold while learning Arabic.

Why I gave up consuming "Teach Yourself Beginner's Arabic Script"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:31:43 GMT

Teach Yourself Beginner's Arabic Script

by John Mace

I learned the Arabic script using Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds.

Why I gave up consuming "Write It in Arabic: A Workbook and Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Arabic Alphabet"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 04:31:23 GMT

Write It in Arabic: A Workbook and Step-by-Step Guide to Writing the Arabic Alphabet

by Naglaa Ghali

I learned the Arabic script using Alif Baa: Introduction to Arabic Letters and Sounds.

A story about "Muhammad, Prophet of God"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:09:15 GMT

Muhammad, Prophet of God

by Daniel Peterson

In his foreword to this biography by BYU professor Daniel C. Peterson, Khaleel Mohammed states that Muhammad founded “not only a world religion but also and empire and a civilization,” and “was undoubtedly one of the most influential men in history.” He adds that “amid the swirl of current judgments regarding Muslims and their religion, this book … offers a concise, objective, accessible biography of the first Muslim. I am inclined to agree. In the end, however, as the author states in the last paragraph of the last chapter, “Muhammad remains today, a challenge for interpretation, a complex but commanding figure—much as he was for his own contemporaries.”

A story about "Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Mon, 07 May 2007 14:55:20 GMT

Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph

by T.E. Lawrence

T.E. Lawrence is doubtless a great storyteller! Although I had seen the film Lawrence of Arabia before listening to this book, I was still struck by the power of this writer to bring to life images encapsulated in words. These images – sometimes disgusting, sometimes delectable, but always captivating – were even more palpable to the senses than those presented on celluloid by the makers of the film. I highly recommend this exquisitely narrated autobiographical tale of conquest told by the conqueror himself.

A story about "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:30:56 GMT

Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid

by Jimmy Carter

Carter’s book is a well-informed, up-to-date, in-depth yet succinct, analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A story about "Abraham Divided: An Lds Perspective on the Middle East"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:00:17 GMT

Abraham Divided: An Lds Perspective on the Middle East

by Daniel C. Peterson

Daniel C. Peterson’s CD, Understanding Islam: An LDS Perspective, left me wanting for more. It turns out his book, Abraham Divided: An LDS Perspective on the Middle East fills the bill. In it, Peterson analyzes the Arab-Israeli conflict through the lens of an LDS apologist, Arabist and scholar with first-hand knowledge of the people and their historical, political, and religious context. I recently had the pleasure of meeting with Peterson twice at BYU, where we spent time discussing Abraham Divided; the Islamic Translation Series, of which he is managing editor; and other matters related to Middle East studies and Arabic. In our first conversation, he casually mentioned the possibility of a second edition of Abraham Divided since so much has changed in the Islamic world since the publication of the first edition. I hope to see it in print soon and look forward to reading it if it does materialize. I highly recommend reading it.

A story about "Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 05:05:10 GMT

Arab and Jew: Wounded Spirits in a Promised Land

by David K. Shipler

An intriguing, in-depth look at the prejudice, racism, and bigotry that spur the continual, mutual victimization of these two nations.

A story about "What Philosophers Think"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 04:50:26 GMT

What Philosophers Think

I started reading this book 36 weeks ago and thought I had finished reading it 16 weeks ago. I only recently discovered through All Consuming that I had not finished reading it. In fact, I had not yet read the most interesting section of all to me: the sixth and final section: “Language.” The other five sections are “Darwin’s Legacy,” “Science,” “Religion,” “Philosophy and Society,” and “Metaphysics.” Among the philosophers whose interviews with the authors were edited for inclusion in this book are Richard Dawkins, Richard Swinburne, Ray Monk, John Searle, and Simon Blackburn.

A story about "The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (Popular Culture and Philosophy, V. 3)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 04:15:32 GMT

The Matrix and Philosophy: Welcome to the Desert of the Real (Popular Culture and Philosophy, V. 3)

This book was a great refresher on the philosophers I’ve studied and a great intro to those I haven’t. I look forward to reading More Matrix and Philosophy, but not before I finish reading Think by Simon Blackburn and Wittgenstein’s Poker by David Edmonds and John Eidinow.

Why I want to consume "Temple and Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present (The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 12 : Ancient History)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 14:20:03 GMT

Temple and Cosmos: Beyond This Ignorant Present (The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 12 : Ancient History)

by Hugh Nibley

I can’t wait to dig in to this volume!

Renowned scholar Hugh Nibley presents a fascinating work written in two distinct yet related sections. In “Temple,” Nibley discusses the meaning of the temple, the history and origin of ordinances and sacred vestments, and the temple’s necessity in the Lord’s work today.

In “Cosmos,” Nibley explores man’s place in the cosmos, or the expanse of Heavenly Father’s kingdom, and how the temple fits into this divine realm of existence. he also writes about the importance and significance of language and writing in a chapter entitled “Genesis of the Written Word.”

Source: DeseretBook.com – Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol. 12: Temple and Cosmos

I’m committed to reading every volume!

A story about "Old Testament and Related Studies (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Mon, 09 Oct 2006 04:10:28 GMT

Old Testament and Related Studies (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley)

by Hugh Nibley

This was my first Nibley book. I can’t wait to read everything else he wrote!

In December 1832, the Lord instructed the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

Few members of the Church have followed that admonition as faithfully as has Hugh Nibley, emeritus professor of ancient history at Brigham Young University. As a young man he memorized vast portions of Shakespeare and studied Old English, Latin Greek and other languages. As a student at Berkeley, he began reading the southwest corner of the ninth level of the library and worked his way down to the northeast corner of the first level, studying every significant book that caught his eye. And throughout his life, he has related everything he has learned to the greatest knowledge of all-the word of the Lord, as revealed in the scriptures and in the temple.

Not content with that, however, Dr. Nibley has dedicated himself to being a teacher, to sharing with others the knowledge he has gleaned through his vast studies. He has lectured and published widely, producing more than three hundred papers and books on a wide variety of subjects.

Old Testament and Related Studies is the first volume in The Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, published by Deseret Book Company and the Foundation for Ancient Research and Mormon Studies. This collection of papers and lectures, many of which have never been published, includes papers on the earth before Adam, the historicity of the Bible, archaeology and religion, myths and the scriptures, patriarchy and matriarchy, apocryphal works, the message of Isaiah, the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Qumran community, and other subjects, all in Dr. Nibley’s fascinating and inimitable style.

Old Testament and Related Studies, which was complied and edited by John W. Welch, Gary P. Gillum, and Don E. Norton, will be enjoyed by students of the Old Testament, gospel scholars, and history buffs—indeed, by anyone who desires to “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith.”

Source: DeseretBook.com – Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol. 1: Old Testament and Related Studies

I’ll probably read Vol. 12: Temple and Cosmos next.

A story about "The Gospel Reloaded: Exploring Spirituality and Faith in The Matrix"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Fri, 01 Sep 2006 20:35:33 GMT

The Gospel Reloaded: Exploring Spirituality and Faith in The Matrix

by Chris Seay

I don’t watch R-rated movies anymore. I hardly even watch PG-13-rated movies. The exceptions I make to this rule are few and far between and well thought out. The last exception I made was American Zion. The one before that was Saints and Soldiers. American Zion was rated PG-13 for the violoence inflicted upon early members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints depicted in the movie, a historical drama. Saints and Soldiers, also a historical drama, is based on the true story of an American soldier fighting in World War II Germany against the people he had earlier served amongst while serving as a missionary for The Church. It, too, earned its PG-13 rating for the violence it depicted.

I choose not to watch R and PG-13-rated movies in an attempt to follow the counsel of modern-day prophets to avoid violence, vulgar language, and immorality in movies. Unfortunately, the Classification and Ratings Administration doesn’t follow the same guideline, resulting in PG-rated movies that contain all of the above undesirable elements. Therefore, their ratings serve me only as a guideline. In the end, I must use my own judgement and follow the promptings of the Spirit in order to determine what is appropriate for me to watch and what is not. As for The Matrix, I first saw the movie a couple of times in the theater before I made the choice not to watch R and PG-13-rated movies anymore. Since then, I’ve also seen it a couple of times as edited for TV or by Clean Flicks. Additionally, I’ve seen the Clean Flicks editions of The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.

It didn’t take long for me to notice the Gospel symbolism in the Matrix, as well as other literary allusions. And each time I’ve watched it, I’ve discovered more. It’s been like peeling back the layers of the proverbial onion. Now that I’m studying philosophy, I’m finding philosophical allusions in The Matrix as well. Once, when visiting the office of Cy-Fair College Associate professor of philosophy, Jason Moulenbelt, I noticed some books on The Matrix on his bookshelf. One of them, The Gospel Reloaded, was written by a friend of mine, Ecclesia pastor Chris Seay. The other two are The Matrix and Philosophy and More Matrix and Philosophy. On another occasion, lifted a couple of layers of the onion and gave me a peek underneath. A conversation with another professor (this time a zoology professor at BYU), who was interested in the layers of meaning in The Matrix, cinched it. I ordered all three books from Amazon.com and patiently awaited their arrival. The Gospel Reloaded was the first to arrive. I read it in a couple of days.

In The Gospel Reloaded, Chris explores spirituality and faith in the Matrix (as stated in the book’s subtitle). He also covers literary allusions from the more obvious, such as those to Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, to the more arcane, such as those to Orpheus and other figures in Greek Mythology. He explores Morpheus as John the Baptist, and God the Father; Neo as his Son, Jesus Christ, or the Messiah; Trinity as the Holy Ghost; and Cypher as Judas Iscariot, and Satan. Chris also explores Gnostic and Buddhist references.

A story about "On Wittgenstein (Wadsworth Philosophers Series)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 05:35:24 GMT

On Wittgenstein (Wadsworth Philosophers Series)

by Jaakko Hintikka

Hintikka’s argument from Wittgenstein’s dyslexia brings a new and different perspective to my study of Wittgenstein’s philosophy of language.

A story about "Wittgenstein in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Christopher Hurtado) — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 06:30:23 GMT

Wittgenstein in 90 Minutes (Philosophers in 90 Minutes)

by Paul Strathern

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this brief biographical sketch of Wittgenstein’s life and succint summary of his philosophy and it only took me about 60 minutes to finish it. Next up: On Wittgenstein by Jaakko HIntikka.