The books that I am reading, with short review.
May 2015
Modern Control Theory, William L. Brogan
A good book on control theory, focusing on state space representation. It provides some basics in Linear Algebra, written concisely and clearly. The explanation on concepts in Linear system (stability, controllability, observability) is also clearly written and easy to understand.
June 2015
The story of Christian Music, Andrew Wilson Dickson
A review on Christian Music, from the early church to the modern times. It surveys the different traditions of Christians, from the Western tradition to the Eastern Orthodox, even African music. It discusses the main question in Church’s music: the tension between good music and good worship. Should we use bad music which enable the worshiper to worship passionately, or should we use good music but detached from the congregations?
The consequences of Ideas, R.C. Sproul
We often think that philosophers are detached from the common people, and we are from different worlds, without any connection between us. We do not realize that a lot of their ideas affect the society greatly, causing significant change. The change can be great in scale (affecting the form of government, as in the example of Karl Marx’s communism), or small to the daily experience. In this book, R. C. Sproul beautifully explains the thoughts of the great philosophers throughout the age, from the first philosophers (Thales of Miletus), Plato, Aristoteles, Augustine, to the modern philosophers such as Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.
Redeeming Science, Vern Poythress
How does science relate to the Bible? How should we as Christian view science? Is there any contradiction between science and the bible? What is the true characteristics of scientific knowledge (is it realist, idealist, pragmatist, relativist?). Poythress discusses this issue in this book, which can help us to have the foundation of integrating science and our Christian belief.
July 2015
Surprised by Joy, C.S. Lewis
Its beautiful title really summarizes the spiritual journey of C.S. Lewis, which deeply affect his thoughts (as can be seen in his other writing). Always being fond of his writing and his thoughts, I really enjoy this book. It tells of his life from early ages, when he likes to create stories (Animal Land) with his brother, to the time of his school days (some of which he dislikes, and some other he treasures), and finally to the time when he is convinced of the truth in Christianity. Throughout the book, he lead us to see the trace of joy that God put in his life. As Jesus promised us, “These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” (John 15:11)
Mathematical Analysis, Apostol
Jan 2016
Technopoly, Neil Postman
This book is definitely a page-turner; the flow of thought is easy to follow, and yet it touches deep issues of our culture. The word “Technopoly” comes from “Technology” and “Monopoly”; It is the term for a society which becomes dominated, in all its aspect, by technology. The term “technology” here does not include only machines, computer, or “physical” tools, but also the so-called “soft” technology (such as grading system for education, IQ tests for measuring intelligence, survey,e tc.). In short, it includes all the tools that we use to ease our lives. In earlier culture, these tools are used only in narrow aspects of our lives, and they don’t affect the culture greatly. For example, axes were used to chop the wood, but it does not have great influence upon the culture of the axe-bearing people. However, in Technopoly, the role of technology rises to the top. Technology becomes the source of all meaning, guidance, and authority of human lives, replacing all other sources that used to serve that function before.
There are some interesting aspects in Technopoly. For example, in technopoly, they have experts of everything. Do you need guidance on how to raise a child? Here is the expert of “child raising”. Do you need guidance on how to have a good relationship? Here is the expert on relationship. So in technopoly, we no longer rest our judgement on our tradition (tradition is viewed very suspiciously in Technopoly), or in the wisdom of the old, but on a set of “techniques” which are normally possessed or mastered by the expert. We refer our judgement to them. The author gave a critique on this, saying that while it might work for some areas of life (which are indeed narrow) such as repairing refridgerator, this will prove to be disastrous in the other area of life which needs an integrated knowledge. You cannot be expert in “child raising” by only having knowledge in that area only; you need knowledge in other aspects as well.
Another interesting point is, in technopoly, we rely more and more on technology without knowing about the principle of the technology. For example, we use IQ test for measuring intelligence. This is used for admission in schools and university. But how many of us really understand, what this IQ test measures? If it measures intelligence, how does it do so? If I have a low IQ, does it really mean that I am stupid? But these kind of tests are accepted by the society, without asking further questions, because the experts saying that these tests are reliable.
There are many other things in the books, such as how doctors rely their judgement more on more on the machines rather than their experiences, how people use “survey” methods without questioning the methods, how even people are being viewed as “machines”, and so on. Definitely a good book to read!
May 2016
The rise and the fall of the third Reich, William L. Shirer. 1960
Have you ever wondered, how did Hitler manage to become the Chancellor of Germany in 1933, and lead the country to the terrible World War II? This book explains with lots of details from the birth of Adolf Hitler in Austria, until the time when he brought Germany to its rise as a big power in Europe, and finally its fall at the end of the World War II. How did he come to power? Wasn’t there anyone who dare to resist him? What did the people of Germany think, when they watch this former Austrian corporal brought their nation to war? Why didn’t the other European nations, especially Britain and France, prevent Germany from its aggression against the countries such as Austria, Czech, Poland, and Norway? There are a lot of things that can be learned by reading this history book, while at the same time enjoying its well-written narratives. After reading this book, I can understand and appreciate more the importance of diplomacy, propaganda, strategic area for war, and the consequence that the will (weak or strong) can bring.
Foundations of Christians Education, Louis Berkhof & Cornelius Van Til
Van Til and Berkhof explains about why Christian education is necessary for Christians, from the very fundamental principle: they relate the issue to the doctrine of covenant and creation. The fact that Christians are people who are under a covenant with God, necessitate us to govern our lives accordingly, and Christian Education is one of the key importance in that. It is not sufficient to educate our children under a secular school, and “complement” it by a sunday school or a quiet time. Education has to be whole; the issue of our belief cannot be separated from our education.
They also discuss about the idea of authority in the school: what is the authority of the teacher? And from where do they receive that authority? In our society where authority is seen more and more suspiciously, I believe this discussion is very helpful and relevant.
September 2016
David Brainerd
This book tells about the life of the missionary “David Brainerd”. Despite his short ministry (about four years) to the Indians, we can see that God works greatly in his life. From the book, we can learn how God may turn our bitter experience into a praise. A very beautiful book that can be a comfort for us in our struggle.
Total Truth, Nancy Pearcey
In this modern age, our society is increasingly divided into two spheres: public and private. The public is the area where facts govern, whereas the private life is about value. Religion is put under the private sphere, considered as “relative” and depends on each person’s preference, while science is put under the public or fact category, considered as absolute. With this, belief becomes increasingly personal, and seems to only have values in very restricted area of life. This book talks about this phenomena: how did it come to this? and is the distinction appropriate? As we read the book, we find out that science is governed not only by fact, but also value; and putting religion under a restricted area of life has adverse consequences. If our belief is true, surely it has to govern the public and private life. The book gives a rough overview of history of philosophy, from Plato, Aristotle, Augustine, Aquinas, Reformation, Kant, Darwin, until the modern pragmatists in our modern era. Darwinism is especially considered in great details, as it has a very large influence in today’s culture. It is the final component of the evolutionary naturalism worldview that governs our life today, from science to family. Some of the adverse effects of this worldview, such as the justification of evil things (such as rape, infanticide, and abortion) based on evolution, is mentioned. The book also mentions how the evangelicals in America becomes more and more “anti-intellectual”, beginning from the great awakening period. Finally, it exhorts us Christians to learn our biblical wordview (Creation, Fall, and Redemption) and use this to understand the world different from the non-believer, to enable us to witness the Gospel more effectively in our culture.
Blame it on the Brain? Edward T. Welch
Untuk Negeriku: Sebuah Otobiografi (Mohammad Hatta)
Buku Seri Tempo: Soekarno, M. Natsir, Soe Hok Gie, Chairil Anwar, Benny Moerdani, Douwes Dekker
Soeharto: The Life and Legacy of Indonesia’s Second President
Fear and Trembling (Soren Kierkegaard)
Rise of the Robots: Technology and the Threat of a Jobless Future (Martin Ford)
The Technological Society (Jacques Ellul)
The Four Loves (C. S. Lewis)
Educating for Life (Nicholas Wolterstorff)
The Art of Thinking Clearly (Rolf Dobelli)
Tales from the Perilous Realm (J. R. R. Tolkien)
How Should We Then Live (Francis Schaeffer)
Sophie’s World (Jostein Gaarder)
The Pilgrim’s Regress (C. S. Lewis)
2020
L’etranger (Albert Camus)
And The Mountains Echoed (Khaled Hosseini)
January 2021
To Kill a Mockingbird (Lee Harper)
12 Rules of Life (Jordan Peterson)
Essays on Christian Education (Cornelius Van Til)
Teguh Santoso Lembono 