Mar
12
Written by:
host
3/12/2009 9:08 PM
I admit it. I bought The Porpoise-Given Life by Chris B. Hughes because I liked the title. I am a fan of puns and simply couldn’t resist. To my delight, it turned out to be an interesting read, with (thankfully) a different theology than the book which inspired its title.
The book’s subtitle, Inspiration from the Cetacean Nation describes the book well. (For those, like me, who have not been in a biology class for awhile, porpoises, dolphins and whales are all species in the order Cetacea.) Chris Hughes provides an abundance of information about the lives of these fascinating animals. He then invites us to consider what we might learn from paying attention to these creatures of the sea – lessons such as Hydrate, Listen, Breathe, Cooperate, Live, Delight and Save.
The book uses metaphor to playfully examine Biblical teachings, making it a fun book to read. The nine chapters could easily be used for a nine week study, though I enjoyed simply reading it for myself. Each chapter concludes with “The Reflecting Pool” – a section containing Quotes to Ponder, Questions to Consider, Actions to Take, Biblical Wisdom and a Breath Prayer. Throughout the book Hughes encourages each one of us to live while we are alive. There is plenty here to generate thoughtful discussion.
In the preface to The Porpoise-Given Life, Chris Hughes invites you to “take this little book in the spirit it was written and offered to you: playfully, prayerfully, porpoise-fully.” I recommend you take him up on his invitation.
~Sally Hoelscher