Schaeffer, Pearcey, The New Yorker, and American Grace (and other good books on faith and the public square.)

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Byron Borger

I wanted to write about two other topics these past few days–we just got the new Richard Foster on meditation called Sanctuary of the Soul: The Journey Into Meditative Prayer (I(VP; $16.00 hardcover) and there have been some other good spiritual formation titles lately. And, although I’ve mentioned Mark Noll’s amazing Jesus Christian and the Life of the Mind (Eerdmans; $25.00) in a Comment review, I wanted to highlight it here at BookNotes. I’m pretty eager to run through a batch of new books and will do that soon. Now, though, I’m feeling a bit off-center, confused, needing to write about something else.

Confusion by Jeanne Curin.
I feel like I should offer a few resources that will help us navigate through the rough waters of our political and cultural conflicts, waters that got me a bit sea-sick this week. The culture wars are hitting hard these days and while I mostly want to be a conscientious objector in these battles, my fingertips were kept busy this week posting on various websites, blogs and threads of facebook conversations. It has made my heart heavy for various reasons. As I wrote to one friend, it is disheartening to try to entry a discussion as a voice of moderation and reason and end up making matters worse and getting all irritated.

Here’s the backstory and a few books that I think are important, wise, balanced and helpful to understand this exact sort of conflict about religion in the media, the ways evangelicals are construed, and the questions about how to be civil and fair even as we advocate for a pluralism that values a variety of voices, left, right and center, religious, secular or neither.

Last week the prestigious The New Yorker magazine wrote a long, critical piece on Michelle Bachmann, followed by the author of the piece doing an interview on NPR (“The Books and Believes Shaping Michelle Bachmann” which distorted the nature of Bachmann’s religious influences and oddly expressed dismay that some Christians believe their religion should inform everything they do, rather than be limited to churchy stuff. What followed felt like a firestorm—well, it seemed like a firestorm, but, to be honest, it was mostly a few voices trying to cry out in the wilderness, my own among them, that were mostly ignored by the The New Yorker editors and the many other places that picked up the story.

The author, Mr. Ryan Lizza, said Michelle Bachmann was influenced by one of my heroes, Francis Schaeffer, and one of my friends, author Nancy Pearcey. Not bad press, being mentioned in one of the world’s leading literary and news journals and my beloved NPR.

However, Mr. Lizza went way beyond the obligatory note that this could be construed as having some connection to the Christian right (it is no secret that the congresswoman is a conservative Lutheran evangelical and politically right-wing) raising some alarming specter of some group he (taking a cue from other journalists, making way too much of a weird thing) called the “Dominionists.” This group, the godfather of which is R. J. Rushdoony, is not new to those of us familiar with conservative Reformed circles, although they actually call themselves Theonomists or Reconstructionists. (“Dominionist” is a confusing phrase since many Christians of all sorts have developed a theology of culture based on the primordial mandate to “take dominion” found in Genesis 1 but it is used now as a pejorative to apparently de- legitimize proposals from those with faith-based motivations, as if they are the only ones wanting to have influence and their public contributions are, ipso facto, duplicitous.) So, yes, there are those who want to impose a theonomy or reconstruct the culture along principles gleaned from the Hebraic law. And, yes, they could be seen as parallel to the very real Afghani Taliban but that would be silly since their influence is virtually nil and even among themselves, they don’t tend to agree on what, if any, steps they should take to bring God’s law into the law of the land. They tend to (in various ways and in various nuances of application) believe the Old Testament law should be the basis for civil law, or perhaps should be some day. Importantly, they are widely denounced by nearly everybody who is half-way normal, including nearly anyone who has had any significant influence over serious policy thinkers in recent years. They are unimportant, routinely renounced (when they aren’t being ignored) and fringe. To say that Francis Schaeffer or Nancy Pearcey are “Dominionists”, and believe in the violent overthrow of the US government (which even the Theonomists-slash-Dominionists do not) is beyond irresponsible, it is blatant slander. To add to the insult, it then makes most conservative Christians look bad, as if there is something inherently dysfunctional with orthodox religion, the old “guilt by association” racket. This is a little of what our decent Muslim friends feel, I’m sure, when anyone Islamic (or even anyone Arab) is seen through the lens of our fear of terrorism, judged unfairly. And it is somewhat what motivates some of new Protestant liberals like Spong and Borg and Gulley: they create their new versions of faith in reaction to the very worst caricatures of the far right. But that is for another day.)

Let me be clear that I don’t care at all right now about Michelle Bachmann, let alone Governor Perry from Texas. I do care about irresponsible journalism and I really care when they misrepresent people I have been influenced by, whose books we sell, and people that I care for. One need not agree with all of Schaeffer’s history nor all of Nancy Pearcey’s philosophy to want them to be understood properly. And Lizza botched it big time.

FRANCIS SCHAEFFER’S WORTHWHILE BOOKS
When I worked in campus ministry in the 1970s I showed the documentary that Bachmann says that she saw, the ten-part film series How Should We Then Live?, and I showed it more than once. (We still sell the DVD— here is a sample of part of his lecture on the Middle Ages—and gladly recommend the book.) It led to remarkably fruitful conversations, about
how history gets written, about how to study the social context of art and architecture, about the strengths and weaknesses of the Middle Ages, whether the Enlightenment project of rationalism was ultimately a helpful shift in Western culture, and how to think wisely as we discern the currents flowing through Western society and whether the American dream of “personal peace and affluence” is a morally sustainable value system. The DVD and book is still a great overview of Western history, and his earlier works—The God Who Is There, Escape From Reason, Pollution and the Death of Man, or his lament-filled study of Jeremiah, Death in the City–remain some of the most influential books I’ve ever read. We still sell a few of his wonderful little Art and the Bible from time to time. True Spirituality is a fine work, one that resists any overly-gnostic tendencies, insisting that the work of the Holy Spirit happens moment-by-moment, in not too dramatic measures, in daily life, not in any super-spiritual, mystical ways. His little volume The Mark of a Christian reminds us that after we make the best case exploring the presuppositions of Western thinking, reject the idols of reason and romanticism, embrace the absolutes taught about God and shown in God’s creation, we still must, finally, love. The “final” apologetic, Schaeffer insisted, was love. The anguishing shot in How Should We Then Live? of Schaeffer holding disgusting shackles that slaves would be forced to wear, and declaring that the church failed to adequately speak out for human rights, is still a powerful memory for me, a good illustration of what he meant.

For Schaeffer to be so misrepresented was frustrating, to say the least.

NPR
And then, in the Lizza NPR interview which was also being posted and tweeted and passed around, warning the nation about the dangers of Schaeffer and his ilk, Lizza nearly implied that anybody of historic orthodox faith is a fanatic, maybe dangerous for the public order. As I noted, he seemed dismayed and resentful that any Christian would want to take their faith into their public life. My friend Keith Pavlischek, who wrote a book about important Catholic political theologian John Courtney Murray, noted that Murray used to say that secularists wanted to “keep the church in the sacristy.”

I’m sure you can see why that just gets my goat. I hope it gets yours.

So, I linked at facebook and tweeted the firm rebuke of the New Yorker misquoting of Schaffer written by Joe Carter over at First Things. It is interesting, well documented, and worth reading. It is called “A Journalism Lesson for the New Yorker.”

And then I posted Carter’s next reply, “Dominionismists – The New Birthers” where he responds to the “regrettable silliness” in the much-forwarded Michelle Goldberg’s Daily Beast piece, of which he says “this dominionism nonsense is about the stupidist trend to come along since Birtherism…. I have to give her credit, though. I thought on this topic it would be difficult to produce an article less informed and more slanderous than Ryan Lizza’s embarrassing New Yorker piece. But when it comes to lowering the bar, you really can’t beat Tina Brown’s Newsweek/The Daily Beast. So kudos for your remarkable achievement, Ms Goldberg: You’ve written the dumbest article I’ve read all year.”

Okay, Carter is fairly highbrow and doesn’t get out much, I guess. I could forward him a lot of dumber articles. But, still, this is about the legacy of Francis Schaeffer and whether evangelicals should be involved in the public square, so I’m all in. Dare we as people of faith speak of faith in the public square? Should we be embarrassed if we found Schaeffer’s work appealing? Could our own unique convictions actually be a balm for the common good? Must others of other faith commitments compartmentalize their faith, too, leaving it at the door of the workplace, the university, the voting booth? It seems that this is what Goldberg and Lizza and their many fans–whew, you should read the vitriol on the left-wing blogs– are demanding. And this is frightening for any pluralistic social order.

NOBODY EXCLUDED
At some point, we have to back up and insist that no-one’s faith-based motivations or formulations dare be excluded from the public square (not fundamentalists, not liberals, not Muslims, not atheists, not creationists, not Marxists, nor anybody else!) The pressure of modernity, of course, is to marginalize faith. Many liberal opinion leaders seem to have a particular antipathy about traditional religion (as do some rank-and-file liberals, too: in a recent informal survey, nearly every liberal polled indicated that they would be willing to censor conservative authors with whom they disapprove. Yikes!) As Stephen Carter once said, it seems that liberals often want to treat religion as if it were a hobby akin to collecting stamps or building model airplanes. Which is to say, keep it to yourself since it is, de facto, idiosyncratic and irrelevant. Those of us who hold to the core Christian creed that Jesus is Lord simply must bear witness to that, in all we do, also in our (humble, bold) politics. We have not done a good job of this — see the very important UnChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyon (Baker; $18.95) for how younger adults are turned off by right wing impressions given off by legalistic religion — but be that as it may, the intellectual gatekeepers have no business distorting the facts about our foibles. (Yes, the truth itself is sometimes bad enough!) Again, Francis Schaeffer was no Theonomist and nobody cited in the Lizza piece called for violence against anybody.

NANCY PEARCEY ON WORLDVIEWS
Nancy Pearcey Saving Leonardo Google for Blog 1.jpg I was glad to see Nancy Pearcey reply to the accusations about her and I linked at my own facebook to the important explanation of worldviews offered by her at Human Events. Her essay is called “Dangerous Influences: The New Yorker, Michelle Bachmann, and Me.” To explain what Lizza made murky she mentions the Dutch philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd, for crying out loud (as does the Wikipedia site about Francis Schaeffer) which has no relationship to the far right. I “liked” her piece and more trouble ensued.

(I was scolded there by folks who were quickly posting, irked that I wanted to change the subject away from their rather mean-spirit and generally random comments, poking snark at those who care about global warming or complaining about Obama. Indeed, I did want to reorient the thread, wanting to shift from blaming the left (got that), The New Yorker (done), or even other secular humanists for their inconsistencies—they want to stop conservative Christians from allowing their values to shape their political work, but they themselves sure seem to want to work for “dominion” guided by their values, (fair enough), to actually talking about what Pearcey wrote. I wished her readers would respond to her explanation o
f how worldviews must be understood to really “get” where others are coming from—this is an important contribution. When one guy insisted that if “humanists” had power, “they would kill us all off” I realized I had entered some pretty scary waters. A young friend who has been paying attention to this stuff in recent months, who I helped spiritually years ago, admitted he had had it with this dreadful sort of talk, he admitted that Voltaire and his animosity to any religion was beginning to make sense. And I just wanted to cry.

The way in which the “Schaeffer is a Dominionist” trope was picked up all over the internet, repeated by a dozen major outlets within the day, and hundreds of blogs and tweets, was an example of the astonishing speed and power of the internet, an example of this thing we call “going viral.” Ugh. And, sure enough, within a few more days, more mainstream news columnists began to repeat the dishonest meme: Bachmann hangs out with religious nuts who want to overthrow the government. That advocate violence against abortion providers. That don’t believe in any separation between church and state. That are linked to this cult-like “dominionism.” Blah, blah, blah. One misinformed piece slandered Pearcey (who believes in principled pluralism) by saying she taught that only Christians should be in positions of influence. Nonsense!

I can’t imagine how Nancey must feel, knowing that such widely-read reports have said such Nancy Pearcey.jpg disturbing things about her views. Heck, I feel badly since we carry her books. If they said that stuff, we wouldn’t promote them, that’s for sure. One person, well intended I’m sure, reminded us of Jesus’ own command to rejoice when people say bad things about you, but I somehow couldn’t muster the faith or attitude. I care about what people think about the vision we share here, the books we carry, the God who we try to represent and glorify. I hate it when people are accused falsely, whether it is some of the far right saying scandalous things about Obama or whether it is the mainstream media saying unfair things about Schaeffer and Pearcey.

Of course, so much of this indicates the way in which many in the media are simply ill-informed about religion, don’t know who evangelicals are, and don’t seem to want to understand us, either. (Lizza refers to the “exotic” nature of Bachmann’s religious influences. Really?) One of the best pieces about this, giving good facts about Schaeffer and Rushdoony, is written by Barry Hankins, here. (Note Hankins’ excellent book on Schaeffer, mentioned below.)

SCHAEFFER CO-OPTED BY THE CHRISTIAN RIGHT
Schaeffer was eventually co-opted by the Christian right, quoted by conservatives who hadn’t read his earlier work and wouldn’t have cared about the things he most cared about. In the last years of his life he was dying of cancer, too, and that may have altered his typical clarity; I don’t know. There is no doubt that the current religious-conservative movement includes leaders who have been influenced by Schaffer to one degree or another. Francis and Edith’s disapproving son Frank Schaeffer has told that story, embellishing it a bit, I gather, in the controversial memoir Crazy for God: How I Grew Up
as One of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right, and Lived to
Take All (or Almost All) of It Back and the recent, riveting (and also contested) Sex, Mom and God both of which, characteristically, it seems, to this big-ego angry son, suggest that he nearly single-handedly started the Christian right and the evangelical wing of the anti-abortion movement. It is obvious that some folks who identify with the Christian right or the Tea Party, have been inspired by Schaeffer’s final book or two; Frank now regrets that profoundly and is speaking out against his father and his own detrimental role in those years. The elder Schaeffer did shift from art and political and cultural evaluations as he ministered to the counter-culture in the early 70s to more political matters in the early 80s. (You can see it coming in the last few episodes of How Should We….films and book.) Frank now tells how he took his dad around (with his father less convinced of the wisdom of it) to rile up Falwell and Robertson and others who became the cheerleaders for the Reagan revolution. I know that some of his story is true—I crossed swords, as they say, with him in those very years myself, sad to see him push his father in such an uncharacteristic direction. That a Tea Party favorite such as Ms Bachmann sees in Schaeffer’s understanding of the absolutes of a Christian worldview an intellectual funding of her traditionalism and conservatism is fascinating and not unimportant. But Dominionism? Violent revolution? Come on!

By the way, although I read and enjoyed both of Frank Schaeffer’s flamboyant, controversial tell-alls–the new one about Edith and sex is as much about Frank’s abandonment from evangelicalism as it is an expose of L’Abri—it needs to be underscored that friends who were close to the Schaeffer family have chastised Frank for disrespecting his parents, for making it all sound much more extreme than it was, for overstating Francis’ crankiness and Frank’s own influence in the politics of the Schaeffer family. I don’t know about that, and trust those like Os Guinness who have expressed great sadness about these books.

Schaeffer bio.jpg For those wanting a more traditional biography of Francis Schaeffer, the one by Colin Duriez, Francis Schaeffer: An Authentic Life (Crossway; $24.99) is the best at this point. It is just fantastic and is applauded by many who were there! Kudos.

Francis Schaeffer: A Heart and a Mind for God edited by Bruce Little (P&R; $12.99) just came out this year and is loaded with anecdotes, stories, and appreciative testimonials of Schaffers work and influence—it is very good and a great reminder of why he was so important to so many of us.

For perhaps a broader historical view of Schaeffer’s impact, written by a critical but appreciative scholar, see Francis Schaeffer and the Shaping of Evangelical America by Barry Hankins (Eerdmans; $20.00.) Hankins does a very good job showing how the youth who were part of the revivals of the late 60s and early 70s created a movement of evangelicals which needed an intellectual basis for faith and how important it was for someone like Schaeffer, who took the bohemian culture seriously, to appear in those very years. He (and his wife) made a mark not just on persons–like me–but on the very texture of American evangelicalism and certainly shaped the views of many who were rising to parachurch leadership at the end of the twentieth century. Oh, that authors like Lizza would understand this recent religious history and understand the configurations of various sorts of evangelical Protestants.

No one can predict who is going to quote what book as an influence, and therefore, for instance, we shouldn’t blame the Quran for suicide bombers any more than we should blame Schaeffer for abortion clinic murderers. Most in the mainstream media are careful not to insult all Muslims because of the way some act. Yet it is clear that the media’s take on Bachmann and Perry and the ways they are or are not influenced by Schaeffer does not offer the same care or respect. (And conversely, there are some responding to this egregious sloppiness on the part of the New Yorker, insisting that it is unfair to blame Schaeffer for the extremist views of the Theonomists, but yet they still seem to want to despise all Muslims for the extremity of the jihadists.) Can’t either side on the culture wars get this thing right? Too many people are too quick to connect too many dots, blaming others without warrant, due to the most implausible or incidental connections. Heck, I once read a book by a Theonomist/Dominionist leader Rushdoony critiquing John Dewey’s role in American educational philosophy; does that make me a Theonomist? Geesh.

(There was at least one nice exception in a major outlet to the journalistic Schaeffer-hatefest by the way, a fine short piece from The Indiana Star, which gives a more positive view of Schaeffer, if, indeed, Ms Bachmann has been influenced by him as she says.)

So, I entered these conversations and some of you did too.

Here, for instance, is one brief summary of the discussion by Alan Noble that offers a bit of balance in tone and pushes us to not just demand that Christians not be pushed out of public affairs but that we are equally passionate about the religious rights of others as well. Thanks to “Christ and Pop Culture” for this short but helpful reminder.

Again, I do not mean to imply that Schaeffer was faultless or that he was not deeply involved in stirring up activism both to help unplanned and troubled pregnancies and to overturn Roe v. Wade. He maintained that some of America’s founders were influenced by a more-or-less Reformation base coming, as they did, from the North of Europe. He offers a fairly non-controversial reminder about earlier Christian ideas that shaped some of 18th century framers. He was admired by conservative family values doc James Dobson and was read and understood by Congressional quarterback Jack Kemp (as well as anti-war Republican, the late Senator Mark Hatfield.) In The Christian Manifesto he made a limited and cautious case for nonviolent civil disobedience, a case I had learned long before from Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Philip Berrigan and Henry David Thoreau. And that’s news?

NANCY PEARCEY AND THE MANTLE OF SCHAEFFER
It is obvious to anyone who has read Ms Pearcey that she is one of today’s most able interpreter of the philosophical views of Mr. Schaeffer, channeling influences from Herman Dooyeweerd to Cornelius Van Til to Michael Polanyi offering a new voice for his old perspective. She hammers the fact-value dichotomy, what Schaeffer called the “upper story and lower story” views of truth, and she shows how this simple commitment to a robust view of truth effects everything. It is no news that she favors a serious and open-minded deconstruction of the orthodoxies of old school Darwinism, a matter which she explores even in her firs
t book, a co-authored work with Charles Thaxton on the history of naturalism within the philosophy of science, The Soul of Science: Christian Faith and Natural Philosophy (Crossway; $17.99) is a very fine work (there is a section on mathematics which is fantastic), and whether or not she is fully right is nearly beside the point—she is a thoughtful, engaging, widely-read cultural critic whose work is very reasonable and certainly valuable to consider. Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from It’s Cultural Captivity (Crossway; $19.99) is her most foundational book and even if it has struck some as a bit overly confident and insistent, it makes her case consistently and clearly, with tons of illustrations, stories, and serious footnotes as well as a thought-provoking discussion guide to further the conversation. Her “recommended reading” list is not only wise and wide-ranging, but it is annotated wonderfully, making it very helpful. (That she did this is interesting, too–many authors don’t add this touch. I think it indicates firstly that she is a good teacher, and she is serious. She expects people to “master” this material and to allow it to shape how they engage in cultural reformation. It is vast and sweeping stuff on the history of ideas and the deformation of culture based on bad assumptions and ideas, but she thinks you must understand, and she is walking you through it. And she means business. To know these books is, well, part of the cost of discipleship, I suspect she’d say. And she would be right.) I am just so troubled that there are so many hare-brained and truly odd writers claiming to be Christian, that this is what the critics of Bachmann chose to go after? Have they even read these books? I bet you’ll have some kind of conversation about this very thing before long. I hope my confidence in the significance of her work is somehow helpful as you defend as the legitimacy of offering a Christian perspective in the marketplace of ideas.

If you want to learn a bit more about her, here is a new report done at the “Solid Ground” website by journalist Jesse Mullins, a fine cowboy reporter (who interviewed me about Pearcey and quotes me in the story. Even though I don’t wear a cool ten gallon hat like he does.)

If candidate Bachmann reads Pearcey, I am glad. If The New Yorker reports it, all the better. As long as they get it right. Which they did not.

SPREAD THE WORD, SUBVERT THE TROPE, IGNORE THE FRINGE
To wit, your ever-ready pals at Hearts & Minds BookNotes will offer a few suggestions for your background reading and wide and unruly list of books to keep our heads about us in these nutty discussions.

Is it tacky to suggest that I wish Mr. Lizza would have read a few of these? Maybe somebody should buy a few and send ’em out to your local news writer or blogger who covers this beat, especially if she or he keeps spreading these dumb rumors that Schaeffer was significantly influenced by Rushdoony or other writers of the Theonomist persuasion. (If Lizza or Goldberg had enough reportorial chops to check, uh, even Wikipedia, they’d see a good footnote documenting that two of the leading lights of the Theonomist movement opposed Schaeffer! Schaeffer didn’t have to distance himself from them, because they were not in his camp!)

Or, how about those that repeat that mantra that because some of us call upon evangelicals to get out of the comfort of their pews and get active in shaping culture, being involved and trying to have a helpful impact, that makes us somehow like some Taliban?

Look, we all know there are “Christian” fascists out there, holocaust deniers, gun-totin’, Bible-thumpin’ militias, weird right-wing characters of all sorts who are obviously undemocratic and sometimes dangerous. Still, I’d rather ignore Rushdoony, Fred Phelps and the like. I’m disinclined to fret much about gold-buying alarmists like Rushdoony disciple Gary North who are so far off the reservoir that they just don’t matter. And they certainly don’t have anything to do with any discussions about the wisdom of Francis Schaeffer or Nancy Pearcey or any others of us who, with a different tone and perhaps even a different key, talk about worldviews and cultural engagement from a Christian perspective.

There are enough important matters to argue about, good debates to be had, ideas to be thought through, principles to be clarified and causes to care about that we simple ought not be distracted by those who would fixate on these nearly cult-like “Dominionists” or the equally nearly cult-like secularists who insist that anyone who has faith should stay in their church and out of the way. Yes, both exist, the hard religious right and the hard secular left. Some are in some dingy church basement somewhere, self publishing their “reconstructionist” books about taking dominion. The others are writing slipshod stories for the Daily Beast, CNN, The Daily Kos and The New Yorker. It is easy to ignore Rushdoony, but harder to ignore the influence of stars like Lizza. So it goes.

ONE MORE TIME: RESIST THE ALARMISM
A final little story. An acquaintance of mine that I respect is a columnist at a nationally known newspaper. He has been burned a bit by conservative and legalist religion, it seems, and is smart enough to know that true followers of Christ will be known by love, known by grace, and that the far right ought not have the monopoly on describing what Christianity looks like in the public square. I like his writing. It tilts to the left on matters of peace and justice and race relations, and I appreciate his good eye and good heart. And yet, this week, he wrote a column about a guy he somehow met, who said—inspired by these “Theonomists” that some call “Dominionists”—that he would kill his parents for being idol worshipers. The Bible demands it, he said.

Wow. Catch your breath. This is dangerous stuff, the stuff of cults, right? Maybe like Charles Manson or the Mormon Fundamentalists or from the sort of group from which the phrase “drinking the Kool-aid” arose. I am sad to think that anybody would be taught such a thing, that religion would be so misused. However, to even whisper any relation of this tragic loss of sanity to a candidate such as Michelle Bachmann, or well known, respected authors, like Schaeffer, is ridiculous. I have no idea why this award-winning reporter couldn’t wrap his journalistic head around what seems so obvious to me: the guy who says the Bible teaches him to kill his non-Christian parents has nothing to do with Francis Schaeffer or even Jerry Falwell or Glen Beck or any of the other notorious hot-heads on the right. Nothing at all. To try to connect those dots is just plain old wrong. Talk about the metaphor of “drinking the Kool-aid”—this oft-repeated trope that the “Dominionists” are all over trying to take over America and that Bachmann has been influenced by them via Schaeffer, well, it’s just the stuff of urban legend and UFO conspiracies, except it is repeated over and over, from people who ought to know better.

BOOKS AS LIFE PRESERVERS FOR THE COMMON GOOD
So maybe these will help. Consider them life preservers for the upcoming year. It’s going to be a wild ride in some rocky waters. Get ready to throw ’em out to others and help and save the day.

Blind Spot .jpg Blind Spot: When Journal
ists Don’t Get Religion edited by Roberta Green-Ahmanson, Paul Marshall and Lela Gilbert (Oxford University Press) $19.95 This is the best collection of pieces about the ways in which typical journalists seem to be tone-deaf to the role of religion. Marshall’s own piece on how reporting on terrorism misunderstands the role of radical Islam—suggesting that the violence is not religious in nature by inaccurately describing jihadists in ways that mask their self-proclaimed religious motivation–is riveting and worth the price of the book. There are a variety of media scholars and observers included making this a thoughtful overview. And it is Oxford University Press, people. This isn’t reactionary pulp, but important scholars evaluating major gaffes, indicating a huge hole in the professional training and insight of most major journalistic outlets. Very important, judicious and helpful.

American Grace.jpg American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us Robert Putnam and David Campbell (Simon & Schuster) $30.00 This thick tome of social science by the respected author of Bowling Alone may just be one of the most important books of recent years, a monumental work, elegant, descriptive and exceptionally insightful. I reviewed it briefly when it came out nearly a year ago, cribbing from the rave reviews from Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jon Meacham, Cornel West, and others. Rabbi Eric H. Yoffie (The President of Union for Reform Judaism) says that “this is the best overview of American religion in the last half of the twentieth century that I have ever read. If you care about American religion, you must read this book.” Religion matters, in private and in public. It isn’t coming out in paperback until February 2012 and it may be too important to wait. Highly recommended.

case-for-civility-why-our-future-depends-on-os-guinness-hardcover-cover-art.jpg The Case for Civility: And Why Our Future Depends on It Os Guiness (HarperOne) $23.95 I reviewed this when it came out, declaring my huge appreciation for it, and have mentioned it time and again. One needn’t agree with all the proposals but it is a must-read for anyone interested in conversations about church and state, faith in public life, and the like. This is not just about public manners or civil etiquette—which itself would be helpful, but not quite the full point of this volume— but Guinness here explores how the first amendment offers a framework for freedom for and from religion. We must not move towards any God-based Theonomy or any kind of state church, of course. But a “naked public square” that privileges secularism is equally faulty. This “case” challenges the religious right and the secular left calling us all to take steps to solve the impasse of of our times through what he wonderfully explains in vigorous and inspiring prose as a “cosmopolitan public square.” I do hope you consider reading this and living out his important vision and urgent call to decency, civility, and, urgently, a robust commitment to the principles of our First Amendment.

bye bye miss.jpg Bye Bye Miss American Empire: Neighborhood Patriots, Backcountry Rebels, and Their Underdog Crusades to Redraw America’s Political Map Bill Kauffman (Chelsea Green) $17.95 I gladly named this as one of the best books of 2010 and couldn’t stop telling interested folks (and, well, some who weren’t so interested) about this cool and remarkably intricate history of parts of the country that want to secede from the union. Weird, I know, but bear with me–this is a fabulous read. Look, I don’t know what I think about all this but I do like the quote from the Guinness book, spoken by JFK years ago. Our democratic witness should “make the world safe for diversity.” Want diversity? Really? Want to hear the people–real people? Listen to the crazy folk from the Yooper State, the Lakotah Nation, the Second Vermont Republic, The Republic of West Kansas. Did you know about the State of Jefferson? Take a stroll with Kauffman through the deep South hearing out those–including blacks!—who just want to hold on to their own unique barbequing culture. Listen to the longings for liberation of some from places like Hawaii, who wonder why the US colonized them in the first place. These backyard anarchists, localist yahoos and populists against Empire sometimes heroically want self-rule. Some just want to be left alone. Some are sorta nutty. Is this a great country, or what? I’d vote for Bill Kauffman for President if he’d run, but I can tell ya now that he ain’t. He’s too busy in his own home town, coaching Little League and fighting WalMart. Read his story about leaving Washington activism for his own front porch and his own home town in the wonderful memoir Dispatches from the Muckdog Gazette: An Affectionate Account A Small Town’s Fight to Survive (Picador; $14.00.) Kauffman knows more about American history, I’d bet, than anybody you’ve ever met and probably more than almost anybody you’ve ever read. And he’s fun: he’s so far to the left he’s right. Or so far to the right, he’s left. Anybody who wants to understand America–that is, her people—heck, anybody who likes the History Channel’s How The States Got Their Shapes—ought to read through this amazingly rich ride full of very long sentences through the backcountry of the U S of A. The Republic of Texas? Why not? Seriously.

purple state.jpg A Purple State of Mind: Finding Middle Ground in a Divided Culture Craig Detweiler Harvest House) $13.99 Not up for the wild ride against Empire and into the localist’s dreams, narrated by history geek Bill Kauffman? Fair enough, he’s an acquired taste. This is a more simple book, excellent in many ways, by an astute cultural critic (film scholar, too) and PhD who taught at Fuller Theological Seminary and now is at Pepperdine. This upbeat call to move past the culture wars—purple is a blend of red and blue, of course—was somewhat inspired as an old college friend of the author’s (a guy who helped him cross the line of faith and become a follower of Jesus) who renounced his own faith and wrote a book against the Christian right. Detweiler sees himself as a purple Christian, conservative on some things, liberal on some things, traditionalist in a good way, but progressive at times, too. Yet, A Purple State of Mind isn’t even about politics as such, but is interested in an “in but not of” the world wise and discerning Christian cultural engagement. It explains why followers of Jesus must offer a view of life that is grace-filled and, while Biblically-grounded, anything but judgmental. Is all about Jesus, less about religion. It celebrates love and joy but also faces disappointments, and is honest about life and life’s struggles. Such a view wants to hear the story of others, wants to build bridges. This sort of purple view tries to embody the love of God but avoids evangelical cliches, encourages creativity and the arts but yet isn’t disi
nterested in moral values, advocates for all people, working out a consistent sort of way of being truly pro-life. Maybe if more religious folks were known for this sort of nonpartisan, courageous middle ground we might make more headway towards less hostile interactions of the sorts I experienced this week. The issues may be more complex than this, but certainly not less. Very nice.

Public Faith Volf.jpg A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good Miroslav Volf (Brazos) $21.99 I gave this a brief review in my column at Comment, and only scratched the surface of what can be said. Volf, of Yale Divinity School, has given us one of the best books of the year, perhaps of the decade! For a time such as this, indeed. Volf lived through genocide in Eastern Europe and knows about exclusion, marginalized faith, and all manner of confused views of the relationship of faith and public life. He has written extensively on peacemaking, forgiveness, and just did a book on gracious Christian view of Islam called Allah. This wonderful call to care for the common good within a framework of pluralism is more urgent, I believe, than most of us realize. Volf is clear about the dangers and problems of a public faith. But he shows its great necessity. There are rave, rave endorsements on the back from Nicholas Wolterstorff, Richard Mouw, and Randall Balmer. Many are saying that this is must-read, and we at Hearts & Minds agree: a highly recommended book.

Here is a very short video clip where he explains what the book is about. Volf is very clear and thorough. In this clip, you’ll get a sense of how thoughtful and helpful this book is.

political-visions-illusions-david-theodore-koyzis-paperback-cover-art.jpg Political Visions and Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies David T. Koyzis (IVP) $20.00 Okay, I trot this out nearly every year when there are elections or political debates or if there are matters on the news that seem to exhibit the “culture wars” debates. And now is that time, for sure. It just amazes me how little most people know about the background ideas and philosophical foundations for both right and left wing writers, pundits, movements. In this complex and important book Koyzis adeptly explains where ideas come from, what liberals and conservatives really believe (or assume) and whether those guiding ideals do or do not comport with a consistently Christian worldview. How do legitimate ideas end up becoming idols and get hardened into ideologies? What are the dynamics of ideological conflict in our new century? Why does the typical “liberal vs conservative” story not really do justice to the more complex realities behind political movements? This is beyond astute, it is genius, the best and most comprehensive overview of political thinking that I know of. It uses words appropriately, explaining how political philosophers have used phrases and ideas in the past, and helps us all get a handle on what is going on in our heated civic debates. Highly recommended.

To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World James Davison Hunter (Oxford University Press) $27.95 Forgive my colloquialism but this is one brainy dude and this is one sophisticated book. Seriously, if you haven’t considered reading this, you haven’t been paying attention to BookNotes. We’ve cited it often, noted that we may not agree with it all, and assured readers that it may be one of the more important scholarly books on the sociology of social change written in our lifetime. Hunter, a thought-provoking scholar at UVA, who ends up being the guy who coined the phrase “culture wars” has garnered, not surprisingly, rave reviews from super-heavy sociological philosophers like Charles Taylor and esteemed writers like Robert Bellah who says it is “extraordinarily important.” Nicolas Wolterstorff says it is “a feat of great intellectual imagination.” Tim Keller says he learned much from it. For what it is worth he is very critical of the Christian right and the Christian Left. And just about everybody else, too, but that’s another story.

From Billy Graham to Sarah Palin: Evangelicals and the Betrayal of American Conservativsm D.G. Hart (Eerdmans) $25.00 I’m usually pretty frustrated when even well-schooled journalists don’t seem to know much about what evangelicalism is, or what creedal faith is about. As it ends up, that ain’t half of it: as half the blogs yapping about Francis Schaeffer and Michelle Bachmann and Rick Perry have implied, they don’t know what conservatism is, either. I’m not sure I do, either, after starting this very provocative and serious book which—to make a complicated story very short—says that the dynamism inherent in revivalistic evangelicalism, that wants to make the world a better place, doesn’t really lead, ultimately, to conserving much. Hart, a Paleo-at-least, finds this troubling. Authentic conservatism, he shows, is not enhanced by the likes of mega-churches rallying around the likes of Sarah Palin. I’m rubbing my head from this category-changing, mind-bending study suggesting that those evangelicals that are conservative are insufficently so in ways that really matter. Mike Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center says to get this “for your pastor and also give one to your favorite political activist. By doing so you will raise the level of theological, and political, conversation in the church.”

calvin and culture.jpg Calvin and Culture: Exploring a Worldview edited by David Hall and Marvin Padgett (P&R) $19.99 For the 500th anniversary of John Calvin this anthology was created showing how Calvin has influenced various aspects of modern life. Grounded in historical reformation-era studies, this explores how a Reformed vision has shaped the rise of the arts, business, economics, history, journalism, law, literature, medicine music, philosophy, politics and science. As reporters and pundits mock Schaeffer for his “wide as life” faith and his strict adherence to a conservative Calvinism, we all ought to know a bit about the truth of the matter. Calvinist or not (heck, whether you are a Christian or not) this kind of amazingly rich historical record is very, very helpful to know. Further, Paul Marshall—recall that I started this
list with his edited volume on blind-spots in journalism—is the author of the piece on politics. He is certainly one of the leading Calvinistic political philosophers in the world, and this short chapter is worth the price of the book. Buy it, photocopy that chapter, and send it to anybody griping about Schaeffer or the goofball New Yorker thesis that Schaeffer followers want to take over the world by force, and only want Christians to be in elected office. That simply has nothing to do with Reformed views of statecraft and nothing to do with Reformed understanding of jurisprudence. There are other books on this exact topic, but this one on various aspects of Calvinistic influence on the rise of culture—from music to science to economics—is the one I think might be most useful here. Calvin and Culture by Hall & Padgett is informative and illuminating. You will learn something, I guarantee it.

raised right.jpg Raised Right: How I Untangled My Faith from Politics Alisa Harris (Waterbook) $14.99 I will be writing more about this when it releases in a few weeks (it is still unavailable, shipping early September 2011.) I’m almost done with my advanced copy and I’m mostly astonished at this young woman’s story, her being raised in a very active Christian right-wing family—she picketed abortion clinics as a child, holding signs that she surely couldn’t have known what they meant—and becoming active (oooh, how she was active!) in Republican politics as a teenager. This narrates how she has come to a different understanding of her faith and no small amount of serious anguish, anguish that I would guess many of us have felt. Ms Harris is a fantastic writer, making this one of those great memoirs that is easy to read, fun and well-told, and yet very memorable–what a story! Has she just shifted, as many of her twenty-something young evangelical peers have, from a right wing faith to a left wing one? Is her organizing demonstrations at the Bank of America and her advocacy for the poor, just the flip side of her still politicized faith? As she untangles and rethinks things, she lets us look over her shoulder, watch as her rather exciting New York life unfolds, and we get to be a part of the religious coming of age of a very sharp young woman, who is a reporter and very fine writer. I suggest that the story isn’t over and I predict she will write more. I hope so. This is, in many ways, what this whole crazy New Yorker bigotry about Bachmann and the “exotic” nature of the Christian right is all about. It guess it is rather exotic, as is anyone who takes faith seriously these days, and lives out her principles in public ways. Harris’ conservative family has done this, and it has left its marks, in ways that are good and maybe not so good. One story, one family, one very thoughtful twenty-something. I could hardly put this book down and trust you find pleasure, empathy and insight, regardless of your thoughts about faith, politics, or social justice.

READ SCHAEFFER & PEARCEY FOR YOURSELF.
MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND.
BUT DO SO WITH OTHERS.

And, of course, since this nasty brouhaha started with the viral trope about the horrible views of Francis Schaeffer and Nancy Pearcey, and then all the push-back from it, you might start by reading them for yourself.

How Should We.jpg Here you can find a list of Schaffer’s books and if they are in print, we probably have them. I mentioned a few favorites earlier in the column (like the short Art & the Bible and True Spiritualty) but I think I’d start with How Should We Then Live? (Crossway; $19.99.) Unless you prefer philosophy, at which point you should get his famous The God Who Is There (IVP; $15.00.) The anniversary edition has a good forward by Jim Sire, too.)

Here again is the fine article about Nancy Pearcey and we stock all three of her books too (as well as the ones she co-wrote with Charles Colson.) I’d start with the thick but important Total Truth: Liberating Christianity from It’s Cultural Captivity (Crossway; $19.99.) I reviewed her fascinating survey of the arts and popular culture, Saving Leonardo: The Secular Assault on Mind, Morals and Meaning (B+H; $26.99.) here. Enjoy!

THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR
Nancy Pearcey writes about, and Francis and Edith Schaeffer lived live examples of, intentional, friendly, hospitable, community. Book clubs, reading groups, and fellowship gatherings are the natural venues for exploring big ideas, deconstructing the unhelpful ideas of our culture and discerning what is true, and what difference it makes. Our bookstore would love to enhance your community by providing resources and we are grateful for your support. But it is most important that you are together, in your locale, being part of the lives of others who care about you and will help you to think clearly, wrestling honestly with these heavy ideas about faith in public life. We may get a little sea-sick by it all, disoriented. That’s why we need not only good books but good friends. We learned that, too, from Francis Schaeffer.

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Calvin College, Abraham Kuyper, The Christian Scholar’s Review, *cino, and the great influence of John Stott

Posted on July 30, 2011 by Byron Borger

Do you know that feeling after a long, long drive, returning home from a far-away but great event? We are happy but exhausted from the white lines (and orange cones) on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, eyes bleary and body tense from navigating the late-night truck traffic. On the Indiana interstate, right before the Ohio line, a billboard offered a rest stop with chocolate “for the pain that is Ohio.” Yep, these long, tedious hours of flat Buckeye road offers time for thinking and talking.

Beth and I had just gone through a two-day parent introduction at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while our youngest daughter experienced her Calvin freshman orientation. This Passport program was spectacular, with fabulous fun and food and helpful information. We learned about the history of the school, John Calvin’s French accent, saw brief video clips from scholars likes James K.A. Smith,and were reminded of the cosmic scope of Christ’s redeeming restoration project (and hence, the deeply integrated religious vision of teaching the arts and the sciences for God’s glory and our neighbor’s good.) I leaned over to Beth and said that I wanted to attend Calvin College!

On the long ride home I pondered my own faith development, my own college years decades ago, my frustration as a younger man wondering why those who seemed most fired up about the gospel seemed so disinterested in the world and its great hurts. In my mind I revisited our many years of meeting students, selling books, including books written by people we had met at the Calvin orientation, and how we still have—thank you, Jesus!—a glimmer of our old idealistic vision that we can in some ways change the world for the better as we nurture a Christian mind, grounded in a Biblical worldview, enabling us to make connections between our deepest convictions and the way we live.

Over a great dinner with with old friends in Grand Rapids, our friend observed that my book reviews usually carry a sense that reading matters, that books can make a difference, that we read with a purpose which includes social change. You who are our fans and friends share this commitment and I thought of all of you, our Hearts & Minds gang, as we took in all this energy that Calvin emitted. I thought of the campus ministry that we love, the CCO, whose slogan is “transforming college students to transform the world.” Right on!

Evangelical higher education has had a renaissance in recent years in scope and in spiritual vision and most such faith-based liberal arts schools—Messiah, Eastern, Gordon, Taylor, Wheaton, Seattle Pacific, Geneva, John Brown, Westmont, Whitworth, George Fox, Hope, Houghton, Bethel, Dordt, Trinity Christian, Union, and so many others—have used the important language of vocation to help students realize that learning matters to God and that serving God in the workaday world is itself a holy calling, whether one is an insurance agent or a scientist, an artist or a school teacher. Learning about God’s world as a person with this luxury of being a student is itself a calling, and the college years are also preparatory for future service in Christ’s Kingdom, as young adults find their place in a career. This is how we change the world, taking institutions and career areas seriously and learning to be faithful followers of Christ in (but not of) those culture-shaping spheres.

The Christian College Phenomenon: Insider America’s Fastest-Growing Institutions of Higher Learning edited by Thomas Chesnes & Samuel Joeckel (Abiline Christian University Press; $24.95) will be released early this fall and looks to be an extraordinary overview. Did you know that in just a few years a decade ago, enrollment at CCCU colleges rose over 70% while private and state school enrollment in those years role 3%? Wow. Editors Thomas Chesnes and Samuel Joeckel have taken an empirical
approach, surveying over 1900 professors at ninety-five CCCU colleges
and universities and 2300 students at twenty different schools. The
editors compiled responses to quantitative and open-ended questions on
topics from pedagogy and politics to faith learning integration; they
then made that data available to nearly thirty scholars who have turned
their considered responses into chapters that are now organized into
seven book sections, covering topics in gender, evolution, faith,
learning, scholarship, and race/ethnicity.

Do you hear shades of Abraham Kuyper in this interest in relating faith and cultural engagement, at least in how Calvin College expressed it to us this week? (I hope you recall the two- part BookNotes review of the new introduction to Kuyper by Richard Mouw, here and here.) That we are “called to holy worldliness” (in Mouw’s punchy phrase) as we think about how God has ordained the unfolding of various social spheres and commissions us to be agents of healing in those places? Indeed, some historians would say that the most vibrant Protestant Christian colleges have learned or re-learned recently to “think Christianly” about their own tasks and work, inside and outside of the classroom, in part by reflecting upon the way in which Calvin College talked about these things throughout the last half a century. That Calvin views itself (or so we gather) as neo-Calvinist and Kuyperian—that God in Christ is redeeming not just our souls but “every square inch” of the creation, and that our views of sociology and agriculture and aesthetics and politics are as important as our doctrine and theology—has been a model for integrating faith and scholarship from which other institutions have learned.

A brand new book—edited by an impressive team of scholars, including a former CCO staffer and Kuyperian from Hope College named Todd Steen (whose PhD in economics was taken at Harvard)—illustrates well the ways in which evangelicals have been wrestling with the questions of faith and learning, Christ and culture, piety and scholarship, for the last nearly half a century. Taking Every Thought Captive: Forty Years for the Christian Scholars Review, edited by the current editor of CSR, the literature professor Don King of the PC(USA) affiliated Montreat College along with Perry Glanzer, David Hoekema, Jerry Pattengale, Todd Ream and Todd Steen (Abilene Christian University Press; $25.00.) This thick book deserves a more thorough review later, but it is essentially a fantastic greatest hits collection of four decades of scholarly work done from within an intentionally Christian framework. (You know, even if you don’t have all of a band’s many releases, if you care at all you pick up the greatest hits album.) There are pieces here spanning the journal’s career and they are well selected. Some of them are really good to be in a book since the academic journal, CSR isn’t widely circulated outside of Christian colleges and they deserve to be read. What a wonderful opportunity to read through so many important articles! There are substantial essays by a wide array of scholars, from thinkers such as Nicholas Woltersdorff, Jonathan Chaplin, Richard Mouw, Mary Stewart Van Leuuwen, Roger Lundin, Nancy Ammerman, Dallas Willard, Stanley Hauerwas, Jenell Paris and many more. There are pieces on politics, on art, on the role of the Christian college, on student learning, on math and science and ethics and philosophy.

One piece that I have read and photocopied from the journal was a provocative and beautiful bit of writing by Brian Walsh and Steve Bouma-Prediger, using ecological insights based on a Scriptural vision of place and “homecoming” to suggest that students should know the places where they are studying. It was published in the review (along with a strongly-worded critique the following quarter) as they were writing their Beyond Homelessness, applying its insights about cultural displacement and Biblical exile to the experience of learning within the context of modernity. Brilliant! Another piece that I think should be widely discussed was by Ronald Sider who called in the CSR for more academically rigorous research that popularizes for the church the work of the academy and helps social reformers and activists to translate Christian thinking into policy initiatives. Again, this was a splendid piece that I highly recommend.

The Christian Scholars Review has long been an important organ for good book reviews and serious academic research done by scholars mostly within the mostly evangelical Protestant faith community. The special issues have been splendid (they did a C.S. Lewis issue a few years back, for instance) and it has regularly been a good testimony to the way our discipleship can effect our scholarship and cultural engagement. I wish there was a way for more libraries to stock it, certainly university libraries should, since they typically have journals from every other perspective one could possibly think of. Certainly any college professors that you know should hear about it. Maybe this book would be a way to introduce them to the important work of the journal.

Interestingly, after a few decades of pondering books like, say, Calvin College’s own Engaging God’s World: A Christian Vision for Faith, Living and Learning by Cornelius Plantinga (Eerdmans; $16.00) or the much-discussed Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship by George Marsden (Oxford University Press; $19.99) colleges from other theological traditions have had serious conversations about what their own unique theological heritages might offer to a perspective on being a Christian institution of higher learning. What does it mean that Baylor is Baptist (and not just Texan)? What is the unique contribution made by the constituency at Indiana Wesleyan? What role does Methodism play in shaping the teaching at Asbury in Wilmore KY? Besides having a peace studies program, is there anything uniquely Mennonite about the academic perspectives at Goshen? These are fascinating questions, being discussed with greater urgency these days, or so it seems.

(Sadly, most mainline denominational church-funded colleges have opted out of this conversation years ago and have no vision of being distinctively Christian or, in many cases, even faintly Christian; I know colleges funded by the tithes of United Methodists, Church of the Brethren, Lutheran, UCC and Presbyterians where professors robustly talk students out of religious faith. See the massive set of case studies in The Dying of the Light: The Disengagement of Colleges and Universities From Their Christian Churches by James Tunstead Burtchaell (Eerdmans; $49.99) for the history of the unhinging of church-related colleges from any substantive connection to the faith of the denominations that fund them.)â€¨â€¨

So, some evangelical colleges wanted to consider ways other than the Calvin College/Kuyperian approach. For instance, Douglas Jacobsen and Rhonda Hustedt Jacobsen and other Messiah College professors reflecting on their own Weslyan and Anabaptist heritage, published Scholarship and Christian Faith: Enlarging the Conversation (Oxford University Press; $45.00.) They suggest there, in fact, that the Kuyperian model, as exemplified by pioneers at Calvin or Dordt, shaped by wonderfully important scholars such as Nicholas Woltersdorff, George Marsden and Mark Noll, to name just three generative former Calvin College professors who are in the Christian Scholars Review anthology, had a bit of a hegemony in the conversations about what it looks like to relate faith and learning, to “think Christianly” to do a particular sort of Christian higher education. So they set out to tweak the conversation a bit, staking their ground. Duke ico
noclast Stanley Hauerwas compiled a collection of essays about higher education entitled The State of the University: Academic Knowledge and the Knowledge of God (Blackwell; $34.95) with one chapter which playfully wonders what it would look like If Wendell Berry ran a university.

Just a few months ago we were happy to get a fine book called The Heart of Higher Education: A Call to Renewal by Quaker mystic Parker Palmer (Jossy Bass; $24.95.) You may know that he has long reflected on the meaning of knowing, the art of teaching, the nature of learning, the characteristics of authentic learning communities. (I just love his rumination To Know as We Are Known: Education as a Spiritual Journey; HarperCollins; $13.99.) It would be a large mistake to imply that Kuyperians have been the only ones who relate faith and learning or honor God’s commission to cultivate creation into sustainable cultural renewal. Almost everyone at most Christian colleges believe there is some way to integrate faith and the calling of higher education, although I have had conversations with students who have told me that their professors mock the ideal, even at evangelical colleges who affirm that God’s perspective will color all aspects of the curriculum and every area of life.

So, three cheers for widening the conversation.

I guess I’m a bit of a geek to care about these matters so much but we are convinced that anyone who cares about young adults (as most churches do) must attend to the questions about the meaning of higher learning, campus ministry and the need for reform of colleges and universities. These are the institutions that are forming many of our young adults and giving the direction for the rest of their lives. It is why we have been so adamant, begging you over and over even to start this conversation early by gifting Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life and Learning by Derek Melleby (Baker; $12.99) which in simple, clear ways invites high school or first year students to grapple with the bigger questions of why they are going off for their freshman year and what they think God thinks about it all. It is very, very good, and as we had our orientation extravaganza at Calvin College this week, I was glad Marissa had read it. Thanks, Derek, for caring about the so-called college transition in a way that has these larger themes in view. Thanks to those churches who ordered it from us, who wanted to give such a resource to their young members who are heading off to this new phase of their life journey.

Even for those who don’t work in higher education, the “reformational worldview” embraced by Calvin and other Reformed colleges (see, at least, Creation Regained: The Biblical Basis for a Reformational Worldview by Al Wolters; Eerdmans; $14.00) has influenced many who work with students and it has been fruitful. I met a fellow father at the Calvin orientation, in fact, with a PhD from Wheaton College, who said it was one of the most important books he ever read! Indeed, may who work with undergrads at secular colleges or minimally church-related colleges that are largely secular in ethos, use books like The Outrageous Idea of Academic Faithfulness by Donald Opitz and Derek Melleby (Brazos; $13.99) or the many books on the Christian mind by James Sire or resources such as Os Guinness’ The Call (Nelson; $17.99) or Culture Making by Andy Crouch (IVP; $24.00). Each of these, in various ways, owes a debt to Kuyper and the movement of Christian scholarship exemplified at Calvin College that has rippled across North America and beyond. (What fun to see professor and pal William Romanowski’s Eyes Wide Open: Finding God in Popular Culture [Brazos; $21.00] on his office shelf in both Korean and Mandarin!) My own BookNotes reviews of Richard Mouw’s recent introduction (just a few weeks ago) to the thinking of Abraham Kuyper illustrates how this worldview-shaping theology that sees God’s hand in all the social institutions of God’s creation, reminds us of the Dutch legacy among many evangelical intellectuals and activists. Even older evangelical stalwarts of social reform such as Carl F. H. Henry (founder of Christianity Today in 1956) and Francis Schaeffer have noted that Kuyper and other Dutch theologians informed their intellectual texture and moderate endeavors for social reform.

That long drive home gave me time to think not only about our family’s new official relationship with this Dutch Reformed tradition, but with our own calling as booksellers, our vocation as cheerleaders of developing the Christian mind, and of how things have changed in the publishing world in recent decades. I guess you can be glad the drive wasn’t even longer or I might have ruminated even more…thanks for reading along.

*CINO, catapult, WORLD The HUSS SCHOOL

â€¨â€¨
Before we started the journey home we made a stop in the small town of Three Rivers, Michigan, to visit the center of what I jokingly call the *cino empire. You may know that *culture is not optional is a loose network of writers, friends, artists, and social entrepreneurs, mostly younger folks who have drunk deeply from the Kuyperian social vision and have been influenced by radical thinkers at places like Dordt, Trinity Christian (Palos Heights) Calvin, Redeemer (in Ontario), ICS (the graduate school in Toronto), and the CCO. Besides running conferences and camp-outs, they publish catapult, a bi-weekly e-magazine which offers transformational memoir and poetry and excellent essays of faith-based cultural criticism. (They have an e-mailed daily asterisk quote that you can subscribe to as well, which is my daily shot of literature for subverting the Way Things Are.)

Rob and Kirstin Vander Giessen-Reitsma also run World Fare (with a crew of volunteers and interns) a beautiful fair trade store (not as flashy as the famous Ten Thousand Villages stores, but extraordinary for its personal touch and deep knowledge of the field of global fair trade economics and social vision entwined with a unique mission of intentionally embodying that vision into their local community ) If you are ever in South Eastern Michigan, World Fare is a marvelous, cozy place to visit.

The *cino folk embarked on a breathtakingly brazen leap of faith last year and started a capital campaign (not the sort of phrase that drops easily from the lips of neo-hippy social visionaries that run fair trade shops)
to buy an old, empty elementary school, a facility for which they have big plans. The Huss School is in need of major repairs and serious renovation but the community garden is already blooming, they have hosted concerts and art shows and for a year have been hosting an oral history project, collecting stories of those who once attended the school. (The ward where the school is located may be considered one of the more depressed parts of town and some the people of color who live there hold resentments for its closure decades ago. Kudos to Rob and Kirstin for doing “service learning” and hosting this opportunity for the neighborhood to name and renounce injustices of previous times so that they might move forward in grace and goodness.) Do visit their imagining space webpage and learn about their campaign to get folks to help them in their effort to renovate the Huss School.

So. This is important. The sort of worldviewish, deeply integrated, Christ-guided learning that goes on at places like Calvin College prompt some of their graduates to run for office or do medical research or get jobs as lawyers or filmmakers or speech pathologists. Yay. And some end up buying empty schools and dreaming of Isaiah 58:12 where it is promised that God’s people will be known for repairing the ruins of previous generations. Thank goodness that the past few decades have lead to such beautiful, serious, solid marks of discipleship.

JOHN STOTT

And then the sudden, bittersweet news of the death of John Stott. He was one of our era’s great Christian leaders, himself deeply involved in all of the sorts of things that have captured our hearts even this very week in Grand Rapids—caring for students, nurturing the Christian mind, thinking about the reform of institutions, relating to the global South and honoring our international relationships, serving the poor and marginalized out of a non-compromising Christ-centeredness. Stott was a British evangelical Anglican, Rector of All Souls in London, evangelist, author, a principle in the World Evangelical Fellowship, the Lausanne movement, and founder of the international social ministry, The Langham Partnership International.

As you most likely know, he wrote widely—mostly for our favorite publisher, InterVarsity Press, and left a mark on millions influenced by them.

As a British evangelical, Stott did, indeed, teach—in a way that was parallel to Kuyper and Mouw and Rookmaaker and Schaeffer and other neo-Calvinists whose names I’ve cited recently—the Lordship of Christ over all of life and the need to have orthodoxy (right belief) joined by orthopraxy (right living) including in our public lives and social concerns. Stott’s healthy influence on evangelicalism since the 70s can hardly be overstated.

I have been suggesting in previous columns (and again, now that we’ve experienced the orientation that Calvin College offered) that Abraham Kuyper in the early twentieth century influenced (through the immigrant Dutch community at first) the tone of many of the thought leaders within evangelicalism in North America. His worldviewish, wide-as-life sort of neo-Calvinism that emphasized our call to develop culture and exercise the Christian mind slowly challenged narrow pietism and, combined with other traditions (like the fiery call for justice from the black church and the vision of simple living from the anabaptists), helped a socially progressive sort of wholistic, culturally-engaged ethos to take hold within many evangelical organizations, Christian colleges, ministries. My own experience with the Pittsburgh-based CCO is a great example of that; their renowned Jubilee conference with workshops on engineering and medicine and race relations and politics and every other imaginable topic for college students wasn’t inspired by Rudolf Bultmann or Billy Sunday, you know; neither liberalism or fundamentalism has been able to sustain serious social reform or faithful cultural engagement. It is the likes of Kuyper at the beginning of the 20th century and Stott at the end who have shaped the aspects of evangelicalism that I find most helpful. Such has certainly left marks on our work at Hearts & Minds!

John Stott was there with a kindred voice alongside all this Kuyperian, socially-engaged worldviewish thinking, and the struggle to define the social vision of evangelicalism. Indeed, Stott spoke at Jubilee in the late 1970s (and had an even larger network within InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.) Stott was seen by many of us as a leader, a guide, a partner, an utterly reliable author, an elder statesman (and to some who in recent decades have moved to significant leadership, a personal mentor, who routinely called him Uncle John.)

Yes, Stott helped us all on this exact point of being faithful in our time, in our world. He famously said we need to learn the art of double listening, listening well to the Word and the world. Again, the pithy phrase is orthodox and radical.

THREE STORIES
I will offer a list of a few of my favorite John Stott books, but first, three quick vignettes.

I was once selling books in 2004 at a lovely gathering of good pastors from a mainline denomination. We were in a swanky venue and the New York Times was delivered. It was the day when the now-famous editorial by David Brooks came out, scolding the too typical tendency of shows like Nightline or 20/20 for bringing out guys like Jerry Falwell or others from the far Christian right to represent conservative evangelicals. Why, the Times pundit asked, don’t they interview a guy like the Right Reverend John Stott who is smart, gracious, articulate, and politically balanced and always the humble gentleman. Brooks had said on the Op-Ed page what I had said (to no avail) to these liberal leaders at our retreat: when they think of “conservative” theology they should skip Pat Robertson or the strident politics of the AFA or the flamboyant TV preachers and should consider John Stott, a quintessential evangelical. It was nice (and a bit humorous, or so I thought) that these pastors, with The Times in hand, came to the book table to ask if I had any books by this Stott, guy. Of course, I did. At last, I sold his valuable work to folks who had not heard of him, thanks to a column by a secularized Jew in The New York Times. I could grouse about how un-ecumenical these parochial pastors were—how could you be a religionist in our day and not know who the famous and prolific John Stott was for heaven’s sake?—but I mostly just smiled.

And years before that, the weekend we opened our Dallastown shop, Thanksgiving of 1982. We wanted to share an inexpensive book with an
ybody who dared to walk into our bookstore during that grand opening, especially since we were new in town and our mix of general market books and ecumenical Christian books didn’t fit the mold of what some might have expected when they heard a Christian bookstore was coming to East Main Street. We couldn’t afford much, so it had to be small, and it couldn’t be too academic for our ordinary folks here in town. And any giveaway book needed to honor our desire to be fully Biblical and yet culturally engaged, to be willing to think and read and learn and yet not be haughty or dry. What better way to share the way Christ could be honored by a down-home, serious-minded bookstore than share Your Mind Matters: The Place of the Mind in the Christian Life by John Stott (IVP; $7.00.) I will explain a bit more, below, and how it warns against “spiritual superficiality.” It remains a quiet gem, a small book of balance and wisdom and urgency and hope and we smile thinking we chose a John Stott book as a way to help explain our mission here.

And this. Years ago a friend had organized a conference about faith in the marketplace, thinking about the implications of our Scriptural “first things” for every area of life and service in the world. The brochure featured a lengthy quote from a John Stott book, a book that, at that point in my life, I had not yet read. It was from Christian Mission in the Modern World, (IVP; $8.00) a book I have since re-read several times. It emerged from the historic Lausanne conference, and detailed a wholistic, balanced, and culturally-sensitive vision of evangelical mission. It remains an essential book for these global times. The quote, though, was important as a reminder that we are all missionaries; this was before the phrase “missional” was in use, but it captured that (dare I say Kuyperian) approach so well that I tore it off the brochure and used it as a book-marker in my Bible where it has been for over probably 25 years, now. I’ve quoted it often in talks and sermons and classes. It starts by poking the impression that was (and may still be today) sometimes given that those who are most “keen” for Christ should be a missionary or pastor or church worker. Stott opens up a more faithful, sensible (and, finally, radical) view of vocation and reminds us of this revolutionary dynamic which is too rarely explored.

It seems to me urgent to gain a truer perspective on this matter of vocation. Jesus Christ calls all his disciples to “ministry,” that is, to service. He himself is the Servant par excellence, and he calls us to be servants, too. This much then, is certain: if we are Christians we must spend our lives in the service of God and man. The only difference between us lies in the nature of the service we are called to render. Some are indeed called to be missionaries, evangelists or pastors, and others to the great professions of law, education, medicine and the social sciences. But others are called to commerce, to industry and farming, to accountancy and banking, to local government or parliament, and to the mass media, while there are still many who find their vocation in homemaking and parenthood without pursuing an independent career as well. In all these spheres, and in others besides, it is possible for Christians to interpret their lifework Christianly, and to see it as neither a necessary evil (necessary, that is, for survival), nor even as a useful place in which to evangelize or make money for evangelism, but as their Christian vocation, as the way Christ has called them to spend their lives in his service. Further, a part of their calling will be to seek to maintain Christ’s standards of justice, righteousness, honesty, human dignity and compassion in a society which no longer accepts them.

Stott continues in that same little book to call for conferences and meetings, inviting folks to join what he called “study-action” groups. He envisioned local community book clubs, reading together to help sharpen one another in our careers and civic lives. Oh how I wish more would take his wisdom to heart and start up such study-action groups. I guess you can see that it is no wonder that we have admired his work and mourn our loss.

Several really, really fine reflections on Stott and his work have appeared over these last few days. Some have really inspired me and I think they are a good testimony not only to God’s work through his humble servant John Stott, but also remind us of the need for a clear-headed, Christ-centered, Biblically-balanced, and socially-engaged Kingdom perspective. We in no way want to exploit or capitalize on his death. Yet, his books are very helpful and are still needed so very badly. A few readers have asked for a list, so I”ll share a few.

But first, a few helpful sources to learn about his life, influence, and ministry.

Interestingly, The New York Times obituary is one of the best.

Political pundit Mike Gerson was a Stott intern for a while and offers a very wise testimony to his vision and integrity. This is a fantastic example of how Stott’s view of a wholistic, balanced, thoughtful evangelicalism made a difference in a current leader. This tribute was recently published in the Capitol Commentary of CPJ. Very nicely done.

Here is a short, basic, overview from Beliefnet.

The most extensive overview that we most highly recommend. A must read essay, from Christianity Today.

I really enjoyed this wonderful rumination from an eloquent preacher and Episcopalian priest, Fleming Rutledge.

From the left-leaning British paper, The Guardian. They get it. Very well put.

MY TOP 15 JOHN STOTT BOOKS.

Where to begin? My, my. Here are my top fifteen, in no particular order.

Your Mind Matters to God (IVP) $7.00 I mentioned this above, naming it as a favorite, brief book about the need to honor God with our thinking, to have a robust intellectual commitment to the Scriptures and all of life, and to take up the call to “think Christianly” about life and culture. Also a good warning to never allow faith to be only intellectual and to avoid the dryness of an exclusive brainy sort of discipleship. This new edition carries a brief forward on the books significance by Mark Noll.

Christian Mission in the Modern World (IVP) $8.00 I cited this above; it was compiled from his legendary talks at the first Lausanne conference and is a model for balanced evangelic
al thinking about wholistic global missions. Still a brief masterpiece and as timely as ever.

The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling (IVP) $15.00 This compact sized hardback was announced as his last full book and he wanted it to be known as his “last lecture” or parting words. I read it I think in maybe two sittings. It is a reminder of the cost of discipleship, the need to relate faith to urgent issues of the day (such as climate change and issues of the two-thirds world.) He advises wisely against materialism and remains, as always, a “basic Christian” wanting to be found faithful in living faithfully, with great love and deep passion for the things of God’s Kingdom. Publishers Weekly gave it a fine review, noting it is “unadorned, threaded with Biblical reference…” It’s last word? Farewell!

The Incomparable Christ (IVP) $18.00 We had the immense privilege of selling books in Washington DC as Stott delivered these lectures for the C.S. Lewis Institute a few years back and they remain in my mind as one of the great lectures series I have ever heard. In this one volume, Dr. Stott offers four angles into the life of Jesus, a New Testament overview (with a portrayal of Jesus from each section of the New Testament), an historical overview (with each chapter telling of a view of Jesus held by someone down through church history, including a few non-Christians, showing how Christ has been understood and presented), a third section called “The Influential Jesus” or how he has inspired people down throughout history–great, great stories and testimonies here— and a final section with chapters showing Jesus in various portions of the book of Revelation. What an inspiring, wide-ranging, and under-rated volume this is! I think if I was going to a desert island and could only take a few books, this would be my one choice about Jesus.

The Cross of Christ (IVP) $26.00 I often complain when publishers keep books in hardcover, wishing they would offer less expensive paperback versions. For some reason, though, I enjoy holding this hefty hardback, realizing it may be Stott’s most important, somewhat scholarly, contribution to Christian theology. It truly is a modern classic, a lucid, multi-faceted and faithful text and the hardback presentation reminds us of its gravity. One can hardly be fluent in the various debates and discussions about the role of the Cross without this fine touchstone. J. I. Packer says that it is “his masterpiece.” It very well may be.

The Contemporary Christian: Applying God’s Word to Today’s World (IVP) $25.00 Earlier, above, I wrote about the new book collecting various pieces from forty years of the Christian Scholars Review, saying it was like a “greatest hits” album from that journal. Well, although these chapters are not a reprinting of previous work, this may be considered Stott’s greatest hits. He covers nearly anything and everything a follower of Christ needs to know, offering solid theology and accessible, no-nonsense prose to guide you to deeper faith and fidelity. He explores nearly all the themes that are most essential to his approach and it is all good. The sections under which he has several informative chapters each, are The Gospel, The Disciple, The Bible, The Church, The World. It may be that this is his most quintessential, thorough study. I cannot recommend it more highly.

Issues Facing Christians Today (Zondervan) $19.99 This book has a colorful history–it was once published as two volumes, then as one, they changed the titles a few times, in England and the States, and it ended up with as an expanded, one-volume edition with a new title and a new publisher. The first half is essentially everything one might need to know to begin the journey towards faithful, evangelical engagement with social concern. This part is worth the price of the whole book and is wiser than most books that are more splashy and more hip. (His care about offering a vibrant but humble witness, his remarks on pluralism and rejecting the lack of civility of the culture wars, are all true insights and very helpful.) He invites us to patient, careful, consideration of the basic contours of the Christian mind, reminding us always that in the past there have been great social reforms inspired by great spiritual revival. (Think of the Wesleyan renewal and Wilberforce, for instance.)

The second half of this large paperback offers a preliminary Biblical perspective on a range of issues, public matters from genetic engineering to nuclear weapons, from same sex marriage to labor relations. He is a “conservative radical” as he liked to say, orthodox on faith and consistent in attempting to offer hints towards a faithful social vision. Agree or not with his views on abortion or environmentalism or war and peace, it is a stunning effort, a fabulous resource, and a book that simply must be considered and discussed. Those looking for a balanced approach to social ethics and contemporary issues that are not necessarily lock-step conservative or liberal will delight in this fabulous study.

The Living Church: Convictions of a Lifelong Pastor (IVP) $15.00 Somebody somewhere gave me some audio tapes of some of Stott’s teaching on the church and this book is delightfully close to that fabulous material. This is vintage Stott, with plenty of Bible and plenty of social observation, a bit of dignified criticism of those of us who are missing the mark and a great amount of positive encouragement. There is so many good books on church revitalization and the missional movement and helpful conversations about the emergent conversation that this simple dream for the body of Christ in today’s world might get missed. It is calm, reasonable, Biblically astute and very, very wise. Stott was at All Souls in London for over sixty years, after all…he has earned the right to be heard as a pastor. Please understand, though, it is not for pastors but for anyone that cares about the local church and the Christian life. Very nicely done.

The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (IVP) $18.00 Formerly entitled Christian Counter-Culture it is a fine, workmanlike commentary with a bit of practical application. Although Stott was a pacifist and conscientious objector earlier in his career—and an anti-nuclear weapons advocate late in his career—this commentary doesn’t indicate much of those concerns, which always made wish Uncle John had been a bit more radical in this study. Still, it is one of the better introductory commentaries and we regularly suggest it.

The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Acts (IVP) $20.00 Stott has served as Senior Editor for the New Testament for this whole Bible commentary set and his own previously titled Acts commentary from 1991 The Spirit, the Church & the W
orld has been retitled and now serves as the Acts volume in this set. Very impressive. Again, Stott had this ability to do standard exegesis and Bible exposition in a way that took culture and mission seriously.

The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Ephesians (IVP) $19.00 Again, this volume in the set was penned by Stott himself. I think this may have been the first Bible commentary I ever read; my father had the Barclay’s commentaries which I maybe dipped into, but this—a stand alone volume firstly called God’s New Society–capture my attention in the late 70s. He opens it with a reminder that Karl Marx had a vision of a new person for a new society and writes, “Paul presents a greater vision still.” This is the sort of solid (and culturally alive) Bible study that kept me a Christian.

The Bible Speaks Today: The Message of Romans (IVP) $20/00 Ooops, I don’t think I’ve ever read this. I am inspiring myself to do so; maybe you too? Look, there are tons of books on nearly every book of the Bible and some are more scholarly and some more devotional and some more edgy and some more this or that or the other. Stott is reliable, evangelical, practical. One can hardly go wrong, even if he wrote this before he talked it over with N.T. Wright. Ha. Give it a try.

Baptism and Fullness: The Work of the Holy Spirit Today (IVP) $8.00 There was a time in my life and in our ministry that feisty debate about the role of the Holy Spirit and the charismatic renewal were common. I don’t know if charismatic over-zealousness has mellowed or they are now just so weird in some places that most just ignore them. But I do know this: we really should regularly revisit our relationship with the Holy Spirit and we should be clear about how God the Spirit works in our midst. I suspect that this book—partially a call to reject inept language that would suggest we need to “get” the Spirit or that some extraordinary secondary baptism after our commitment to Christ is a requirement—was used to restrain a few from going off the deep end. Maybe now it could also be used to remind us that the special empowerment of the Spirit is needed and a sweet blessing for God’s people. I think I’m going to re-read this as it has been a while.

Between Two Worlds: The Challenge of Preaching Today (Eerdmans) $24.00 I know, not everybody wants to read a book about how to preach. (Although, no offense, but some of you preachers, uh, maybe should.) If you want to brush up on your homiletics, this is a fine, classic resource. And you know what? It is really for anyone because his major point is that we need a double listening, listening to the Word and the world. And that requires some translation, some experience with the art of contextualization, making the ancient culture’s story come alive in our own. As is often the case, good books about preaching are also good books about Biblical interpretation and good books about Christian living. This is one of those, helpful for one and all. It was called “exhilarating” by David Read, the minister of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. Highly recommended.

birds-our-teachers-stott-john-r-w-hardcover-cover-art.jpg The Birds Our Teachers (Collector’s Edition): Biblical Lessons From a Lifelong Bird-Watcher John Stott (Hendrickson) $24.95 When we heard that this beloved gift book was coming out in with a CD loaded with Stott’s own pictures of his 70th birthday bird-watching trip to the Falkland Islands (insider hint: penguins live there!) and an audio recording as well, we were so, so tickled. Many people just loved this book before it went out of print, a handsome, full-color gift book with Stott devotionals and all manner of things about his beloved feathered friends. As I hope you saw in any number of the obits, he was a lay ornithologist. The title comes from Luther’s exhortation “Let the little birds be your theologians” and Stott, indeed, does reveal lessons of faith from ravens, storks, larks and eagles. So glad it is now available again in this enhanced edition.

AND A DVD

john-stott-on-bible-christian-life-six-sessions-hardcover-cover-art.jpg DVD John Stott on the Bible and the Christian Life (Zondervan) $19.99 Here are six nearly hour-long sessions, with Dr. Stott in his orderly, clear, dispassionate teaching, lecturing live at All Souls. In the six sessions he holds forth with impeccable insight on The Authority of the Bible, The Nature of the Bible’s Authority, The Interpretation of the Bible, The Problem of Culture, Developing a Christian Mind, and Making an Impact on Society. I’ve used these myself to good effect and many serious folks have found them very, very helpful. For what it is worth, the six sessions could easily be expanded to twelve as there is plenty to absorb and good discussion questions offered throughout. By the way, if you are involved in leading programing, doing ministry or teaching, it doesn’t hurt to have this around—I’ve used just one lecture, or even on portion, to supplement a class or retreat.

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A rich summer array of brand new books on spiritual formation.

Posted on June 22, 2011 by Byron Borger

My youngest daughter, Marissa, graduated from her charter cyber-school at a state-wide ceremony this weekend. We had a lovely party in the backyard on Sunday and took her to the airport on Monday to arrive in time for her first early college class at Calvin College in Michigan. From high school grad to college student in 48 hours. I’m exhausted.

Our other daughter, a decade older, is for this week a retreatant at an ecumenical Benedictine monastery in Ann Arbor. Her facebook announcement noted “a car, bus, train, plane. It feels like living in a Richard Scary book.” And then, “Stephanie is getting herself to a nunnery.” Shakespeare fans can laugh.

Thanks for your support of our family, your prayers for Marissa, and the lovely notes on facebook and twitter. We’re glad that our “family business” sometimes really does seem like an extended family, and we are grateful. Please pray not only for us, but for other customers and friends who themselves continue to struggle, who have great needs, whose lives and circumstances are not as happy as ours are this weekend.

That Stephanie has some (academic) interest in monastic ways should not surprise us. One of the great trends we noticed about a decade into our book-selling biz is that evangelical customers stopped complaining that we carried Thomas Merton; even conservative pastors were citing Henri Nouwan in their sermons and nearly all the reputable religious publishing houses were releasing books of spiritual formation, re-discovering the devotional classics, talking about sabbath and liturgical customs and contemplative disciplines. Eventually, even the hipster crowd emerged with a real distinctive concern for embodied practices of faith, including practices that will aid in our intimate knowledge of God. Postmoderns talked about ancient-future approaches, moving forward by looking backward.

Many folks—including younger folks— want to draw on the array of customs and disciplines that have enabled older saints to walk with God. Not a few Protestants have published books with names like Cloister Talks: Learning From My Friends the Monks (by Jon Sweeney; Brazos Press; $14.99) or Monk Habits for Everyday People: Benedictine Spirituality for Protestants by Dennis Okholm (Baker; $15.99) One of the best introductory books I know about Benedict is, in fact, written by a Presbyterian. See Ancient Paths: Discover Christian Formation by David Robinson (Paraclete Press; $16.99) which I reviewed several months back.

Richard Foster, of course, is one of the writers who has brought that heritage to the contemporary religious publishing world. (Celebration of Discipline [HarperOne; $24.99] is surely one of the most important books of the last 50 years!) And he has a new book coming in September, which looks to be very good—Sanctuary of the Soul: Journey into Meditative Prayer (to be published by IVP; $16.00. You can pre-order it from us now if you’d like and we’ll send it at a discounted price when it is released.)

And so, here are a few such books that have caught our attention here in recent weeks. All of these are new this Spring and are titles that we most thoroughly recommend. Perhaps you can commit to reading a few this summer. Enjoy.

ProductImages.ashx.jpg The Monastery of the Heart: An Invitation to a Meaningful Life Joan Chittister (BlueBridge) $19.95 Many of our readers will know this popular Benedictine author, one of the biggest selling spiritual writers in recent years. Here, she offers an introduction to the Rule of Benedict as a lens for how to see all of life as an opportunity to reverence and joy. (She has written a very good book on this years ago called Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the Rule of Saint Benedict [Harper; $13.99] by the way, but the style and tone of this new hardback is so much different!) It is written as lyrical poetry, a soothing and moving book, called by Phyllis Tickle “beautiful and welcoming” where she has “outdone even her own past work.” One reviewer says this is “like a holy distillation of all that Joan Chittister has written to date.” Lovely.

Seeking Spiritual Intimacy: Journeying Deeper with Medieval Women of Faith Glenn E. Myers, With a forward by James Houston (IVP) $15.00 I mentioned in my opening remarks that evangelical publishers are doing great work releasing high quality books about spiritual formation. No one publisher releases more consistently good writing on the spiritual life than InterVarsity Press in their formatio line. This richly detailed study is an example; an evangelical Protestant publisher has just given us the defining work of the Beguines, a network of Catholic faith communities in medieval Europe where women organized their world around one thing needed—simple life with Christ at the center. A few of these women mystics have become well known among those learning about historic devotional writing (think of Mechthild of Magdeburg or Hildegard of Bingen.) The others discussed may not be known—how much do you know about 12th century Flemish women, after all? Ha! But before you think this is just too arcane, please know that this book not only presents fabulously interesting information but is created to be used devotionally. There is a reflection exercise at the end of each chapter so you, too, can experience the great love of God that these valiant women knew. These are odd times in our postmodern world, but perhaps is somewhat similar to the shifting ground under their feet as well. Isn’t it interesting that such ancient insight might be the most applicable wisdom for our own age? Remarkable. Three cheers for IVP in bringing such rare insight to us, and making it so very, very helpful.

A Lever and a Place to Stand: The Contemplative Stance, The Active Prayer Richard Rohr (HiddenSpring) $15.00 A few weeks ago I announced Fr. Rohr’s very significant new book, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (Jossy Bass; $19.95.) About that time, this little sleeper of a paperback was released and in many ways it is also a “holy distillation” of much of what Rohr has been about over the years. These were lectures given (and if you have heard him or his recorded talks, you know he is a great communicator and vibrant speaker) at a center in London dedicated to offering seminars in Christian meditation (in the mystical tradition of silence as taught by John Main) and how that might equip us to be spiritual leaders for world peacemaking. And so, this little volume invites us to ponder the relationship of the journey inward and the journey outward, the ways in which contemplation can ground us for our work in the world. A Lever and a Place… is classic Rohr, exploring the inner texture of our deepest selves and God’s call to commission us to be agents of peace and justice in the world.

A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness, and Contemplation Martin Laird (Oxford University Press) $18.95 You may know of Laird’s Into the Silent Land, the much talked about and often recommend book that came out just a few years ago from this Catholic priest and professor at Villanova University here in Pennsylvania. Rave reviews came from sources as unique as Rowan Williams and Christianity Today. This brand new one seems to be a sequel or companion volume (with the same smallish chunky size that so nicely fits the hand) and is an elegant and beautifully written reflection on the need for silence in our lives. It gets a bit heavy at points—drawing on the best of the contemplative tradition he calls for a spaciousness that accepts sound and silence and that rejects foundational dualisms. Whew. If you’ve read any of the accounts of the desert fathers or appreciate Russian Orthodox spirituality this might appeal to you.

Ravished By Beauty: The Surprising Legacy of Reformed Spirituality Belden C Lane (Oxford University Press) $29.95 I have been waiting for the strength, time, and emotional energy to read what I believe may become one of my favorite serious books of the year. I haven’t touched it yet, but want to commend it to you on the strength of the author’s earlier books, the rave reviews of a few trusted friends who have it already, and this fine blurb on the back by William Dyrness (of Fuller Theological Seminary) who himself has several important books about the arts, beauty and aesthetics:

Belden Land has provided a contemporary spiritual theology perfectly suited to the restless longings of our consumer culture. Rereading Calvin and Edwards, he finds neglected (and surprising) resources in the Reformed tradition for seeing creation as a rich and wild theatre of fulfilled desires. In the process he teaches the reader to share creation’s passionate and conflicted yearning for God, and to join its praise of God’s     loveliness.

â€¨â€¨I appreciated this review by social ethicist Larry Rasmussen, too

Exemplary! Christianity’s ecological phase requires Earth-honoring retrieval and recasting of its deep traditions. Lane brings to the task a good historian’s unflinching honesty as well as the pilgrim’s personal passion. The result is Reformed spirituality transformed by its own strong sense of God’s presence amid streams of earthly beauty across “landscapes of desire.” A timely, ecumenical gift.

â€¨â€¨Professor Lane does indeed have personal passion. And great experience to write a book like this—a number of his fans (many who are wilderness hikers and rock climbers) have long awaited this highly anticipated work. His previous two books were about the relationship of landscape and spirituality; The Solace of Fierce Landscapes (Oxford University Press; $17.99) is, in fact, part outdoors hiking memoir and part study of the role of geography in the Bible. From the desert fathers to holy mountains, he studies, prays, hikes, prays, does the whole outdoor adventure thing and writes about it thoughtfully. His embodied, Earthly spirituality is beautiful and righteous (and at times as demanding as the fierce landscapes of which he writes.)

So, he has a deep and lived appreciation of natural beauty, which drew him to prolific Reformed thinkers like Jonathan Edwards (yes, that Jonathan Edwards) who was as much as a naturalist as preacher, with a constant theme of beauty underlying his understanding of God. And, he seems to draw quite a lot on Calvin who insisted that the very creation itself is the essential theater on which our lives unfolds. Like I said, I’m working up the courage to work with this this summer. I am sure I’m not alone to affirm the credos that beauty matters, and that authentic spirituality does not lead us away from this world. Lane will help sear this into our lives, I am sure. Ravished By Beauty is a very important work.

Thirsting for God: Spiritual Refreshment for the Sacred Journey Gary Thomas (Harvest House) $13.99 Gary Thomas is one of those writers about whom I have pledged to read everything he writes. And it isn’t a burden as he has a light touch, a great sense of humor and that knack for illustration and analogy that the best teaching preachers have. Gary is one of the finest evangelical writers about spirituality, I’d say, and this is a major reworking of an early book of his (then called Seeking the Face of God.) This one expands on that book’s introduction to the deeper spiritual classics, translating their insights and allowing ordinary contemporary folks to learn to appropriate their piety and wisdom. It is hefty (over 300 pages) but wonderfully breezy, covers tons of good information, and never seems repetitive or tired. It is more than a bargain for its immense value and we are positive it will be of great benefit to God’s people.

I suspect you agree that much that passes for faith development these days is like “fast food.” There are fads, formulas and promises of experiencing God’s presence but few such authors–despite the great packaging of their books–really deliver. In Thirsting for God, Thomas guides us through the best writers of church history, showing us how they learned to know God more intimately and live out their discipleship more faithfully.   This is the faith passed down, the best-practices that have endured, the writers you ought to draw upon. It is ecumenical in the best sense and draws on a wide range of solid (and often beautiful) writing.

â€¨â€¨Even as we reject formulas and cheap grace and overly sentimental evangelical faith, we can say also that books like this really do have to “meet people where they’re at” and speak in ways that are helpful and understandable. (That John Ortberg has a rave endorsement on the back says something, eh?) If you want to set meaningful goals for your spiritual life or overcome temptation or thrive in times that feel like the desert, there is help here. I can’t say enough about this wonderful book, and hope you will give it a try—get a few friends together and read through it together. It will speak to your heart, shape your world in positive ways, and guide you into the next steps of an intentionally faithful life that slacks its thirst with the Triune God. Please take a look at this great little video where he talks about the importance of the book which might help you understand why we like him so. He says that he has written this mostly for two different groups of people—maybe you are in one of these groups. Enjoy!

Invitations from God: Accepting God’s Offer to Rest, Weep, Forgive, Wait, Remember and More Adele Ahlberg Calhoun (IVP) $15.00 Recall what I said about InterVarsity Press’ imprint formatio? This is another wonderful formatio release, a book that so beautifully illustrates the strengths of this great line of resources. Ms Calhoun had written an earlier, large resource, The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook: Practices That Transform Us (IVP; $18.00) which is about as useful and practical a guide to the spiritual life as we could possible recommend. She has been a colleague and co-worker with one of our favorite writer in this genre (Ruth Haley Barton, whose Invitation to Solitude and Silence and Sacred Rhythms (IVP; $17.00 and $18.00) we have often mentioned here and are not to be missed!) Calhoun is a certified spiritual director and a graduate of Gordon Conwell Seminary (her husband is a pastor in New England.) This new book is a good example of some of the best writing within contemporary faith formation.

I love Invitations from God because it circles around a variety of topics that mean a lot to me, and that I suppose mean a lot to you: rest, ego, embodiment, grief. It is a helpful and even joyful book—I so enjoyed starting it a few nights back sitting outdoors under a string of lights set up for our daughter’s graduation party. So it isn’t too heavy and certainly isn’t a “downer” of a book; it is a pleasurable read. As she says in the first page, there are a variety of invitations that come our way over our life and our response to them is what makes us who we are. (There are invitations that do not come our way as well—from childhood on we are often excluded and sometimes neglected, disappointed and hurt.) Ms Calhoun explores the invitations from God, invitations which call us to be more fully human, to own up to our brokenness, to be in touch with our deepest aches and longings and joys, to think through and act anew in ways that trust Christ’s redeeming power to transform us. â€¨â€¨Adele is an astute observer of the human condition and she is a person who lives a real and active life. No, those who are attentive to the more contemplative spiritual disciplines are not necessarily monastic nor are they usually disengaged from the struggles of middle class daily life. Like her colleague Ruth Barton, Adele knows of the ups and downs of parenting, of being a spouse, of dealing with the family budget (and the extended families extended issues), the pleasures and anxieties of ordinary modern living. She is as normal as you or I and therein lies the great goodness of this book.

Through her good writing she is a conduit for God’s own Spirit, which calls to us, invites us to rethink, to slow down, to attend to our hurts, to relax and reflect, to care, to give, to forgive. Can we become people of mercy, people of joy, people of integrity? If so, some of it will come because we’ve followed the sage advice as we see in this warm book. Will we be able to shed tears, to lament, to protest? Will we sense joy in the real world, reject our constant busyness? Will we be able to identify and overcome the classic roadblocks that prevent us from moving forward? (She is very helpful on this!)

The wonderful Invitations from God: Accepting God’s Offer to… is honest in helping us work through this crazy world of idols and false promises. She puts us in touch with our feelings and cares and guides us to a richer, fuller life. I love these invitations and I love how she walks us through some tender ground. Nice cover, too, eh? Very highly recommended.

Abundant Simplicity: Discovering the Unhurried Rhythms of Grace Jan Johnson (IVP) $15.00 Once again, the IVP imprint formatio knocks another ball out of the park with this home-run of a book. Just the cover art is worth the investment—wouldn’t you and your house guests be blessed just to see this beautiful cover and the evocative subtitle? Dallas Willard says “If live is what you want, you must free yourself from trivial entanglements.” Well, that is a journey that lasts a lifetime, no? Jan Johnson has written clear and helpful books on other evangelical publishing houses but this is certainly her best yet. Drawing on truly ecumenical sources—I love these rich footnotes and wise citations and quotes—she helps us say no to materialism, to the zeitgeist of bigger and bigger and bigger, more, more, more. Her cultural antennae helps her discern the idols of the age, and her practical guidance is so helpful, thoughtfully drawn from St. Francis, George Fox, John Woolman, Thomas Kelly, Richard Foster, Ronald Sider (not to mention contemporary researchers about happiness and reporters about the nature of the North American way of life.) Spiritual directors like Norven Vest have affirmed its usefulness, noting it’s self-reflective style and piercing questions. This is more than a call to a more simple lifestyle, but is an invitation to be grounded in ways that allow us to live good–truly good–lives.

Missionary educator Paul Borthwick nicely writes,

In a world where abundant has come to mean prosperity and simplicity is often equated with scarcity, Jan Johnson proposes an alternative. She introduces us to a biblical lifestyle of fullness–full in ways that only God can fill. In our materialistic, over-scheduled, stress-filled world, we need to tame the monster called “more.” Abundant Simplicity is a monster-tamer.

A Spiritual Life: Perspectives from Poets, Prophets and Preachers edited by Allan Hugh Cole, Jr. (WJK) $20.00 This is a splendid collection, itself another “monster-tamer” as the Johnson one was described. This collection includes often vivid (if sometimes a bit academic) writing about the interface of culture and spirituality, prayer and daily life, the prophetic witness against the foibles of our age and good insight from the pastoral work about the formation of souls. The question its many authors are all getting at is this: “what makes a good spiritual life?” And that (as I hope would be obvious) entails a lot more than simplistic formulas for prayer and Bible study.

I appreciate the diversity of authors (their styles, ethnicities, perspectives, and vocations) and suggest that this mix of views and voices is just the thing you may enjoy, too. Here you will find some famous authors—liberal pastoral counselor Donald Capps and pop culture aficionado, Greg Garrett. There are famous literary voices like Gail Godwin and congregational voices of not-famous mainline pastors. I love the books of two pastor-authors, Michael Jinkins and Michael Lindvall, and was delighted to see they have creative contributions here. On the topic of spiritual disciplines we all owe a debt to spirituality guide Marjorie Thompson—Soul Feast (WJK; $15.00) remains one of the top books of this genre— and her chapter in this collection is very nicely done. You will find the pastora
l wisdom of United Methodist leader Will Willimon (actually, a fairly controversial piece critiquing the fad of “practice” language, a version of which appeared in The Christian Century) and the powerful insights of memoirist Lauren Winner, with a fine, fine essay on the making of pies. Yum.

Many of these pieces are quite specific. Stephanie Paulsell, author of Honoring the Body, has a chapter “Reading St. Therese” and Princeton Seminary prof Richard Osmer writes of “Fantasy Literature and the Spiritual Life.” Not everyone may be drawn to the one by Kerry Egan on “Nursing, Eucharist, Psychosis, Metaphor” but I think it was brilliant. There are nuns on reading poetry as a spiritual practice and a piece on chronic illness that is very important. This is the sort of book you can use for a long time, dipping in now and then as the topic strikes you…

I hope these sorts of essays will be useful for you. I think Philip Yancey’s endorsement of The Spiritual Life rings true for all of the above good books:

Don’t look for a traditional approach to faith or a unified voice in this diverse collection. You can, however, count on graceful prose and an honest, reflective search–and that, I found, was enough to make my own pilgrimage seem more authentic and less lonely.

Alan Hugh Cole is Academic Dean and a professor of pastoral care at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and is a popular speaker and WJK author. Kudos.

Praying for Strangers: An Adventure of the Human Spirit River Jordan (Berkley) $24.95 Okay, I’ll admit that a few of these books may seem a bit daunting. I know most BookNotes readers don’t want silly formula books, and also are looking for books written well and that might actually enlarge the heart and stretch the mind. But let’s face it: some summer evenings we may not want to wade through serious historical theology or be confronted with the deepest condition of our hurting souls.

Perhaps there is a book that combines some reflective insight about our spiritual formation that might, uh, be suitable as a beach read? Look no further. I’m not kidding: this is a memoir that reads like a novel, one of these popular and oh-so entertaining stories of somebody doing something for a year. This is, in fact, about a novelist (whose two sons were going off to Iraq and Afghanistan) who resolves to pray for a stranger every single day for a year. And it is the beginning of something amazing, truly amazing. It is a bit theologically confused at times; but it is really nice read nonetheless. As memoirist Neil White (a stunning writer himself, author of In the Sanctuary of Outcasts) says of it “Praying for Strangers reminds us (through the power of this tiny, seemingly insignificant act) that we can never assume we know the vast universe that exists inside the person next to us–or the one we are yet to discover inside ourselves.” See this moving video clip of her telling about her resolution and the book. You just may want to read it after seeing this!

Want to explore our weird, broken world? Want some fascinating encouragement to pray? Interested in human inter-connectedness, pathos and joy? Want a bit of well-told inspiration that is a captivating read? This, as one author puts it, “will bless you and alter the way you see those seemingly random people that God places daily in your path.”   Listen to this line where Jordon reflects on one of the lessons learned in her experiment of faith: “Instead of discovering how much the world needed me, I discovered how much I needed the world.” Maybe reading this will help you with your next big resolution. Pray, pray, pray. And love your neighbor. Not a bad beach book, I’d say.

A FEW VIDEO OPTIONS

DVD Sacred Rhythms: Spiritual Practices that Nourish Your Soul and Transform Your Life Ruth Haley Barton (Zondervan) $31.99 (This includes a Participants Guide and the DVD.) I’ve reviewed this before at the BookNotes blog, sharing how insightful and gracious her good teaching is. This is simply the best media piece we know for teaching about spirituality. We think it should be very highly recommended, made available in your church or group. Here is a youtube trailer that nicely invites you to this project. Hope you order it from us!

DVD Convergence: Where Faith and Life Meet: Spiritual Practices: How to Meet God in the Everyday Donald Miller hosts this very informal series of three conversations, person to person, each sitting on nice easy chairs. Here, there is a charming dialogue with Lauren Winner author of Mud-house Sabbath and fascinating storyteller and teacher about Jewish customs, Christian spiritual practices, and modern writings about spiritual formation. Very nice. (We stock about ten of these, by the way, although this is the one that is most obviously about spirituality as such.) There are a few Scripture verses and discussion questions in the booklet that comes with the DVD so there are no additional books needed. Visit their website which offers more supplemental material as well.

DVD Q Studies Staying Grounded: Restoring the Ancient Practices Five Sessions hosted by Gabe Lyon (Zondervan) $36.99 (Includes one Participants Guide/study book and DVD; additional Participants guides are needed for each person; $9.99.) I’ve raved about these resources that come out of the Q conferences, sort of TED talks for the faith community. In this new one you’ll hear Phyllis TIckle on “Recovering the Ancient Practices”, Andy Crouch insightfully reflecting on “From Purchases to Practices”, Shane Hipps (who has a book on technology) pondering “The Spirituality of the Cell Phone” and environmentalist and medical doctor Matthew Sleeth powerfully reminding us of the significance of “Observing the Sabbath.” A fifth session walks participants through a conversation about a culture-shaping project which is in the book and debriefs it all.   Here is a promo video about the series (most of which are more about cultural and societal reformation) which shows the style and tone of these very cool videos…Highly recommended for all, but especially younger adults.

DVD The Power of a Whisper: Hearing God, Having the Guts to Respond Bill Hybells (Zondervan) $24.99 Four sessions. Late last summer I read the hardback book from which this is taken and reviewed it at BookNotes, naming ways it so moved me. I think this is solid, good stuff, and a topic most of us wonder about: can we really hear God’s voice? How do we learn to discern how to be guided by God’s promptings? Hybells is an excellent communicator and a real master at teaching applicable truths in honest, sensible ways. Very professionally done, very compelling. The Participant’s Guide sells for $9.99   Here is a youtube clip promoting the DVD. Check it out.

DVD The Divine Conspiracy: Jesus Master Class for Life Dallas Willard with John Ortberg (Zondervan) $24.99 I can’t tell you how many people name this book as one of the all time most important in their lives. Richard Foster’s fabulous forward is among the most exuberant raves in print! Yet, not everyone—this writer included–quite get it. I, and apparently many others, need some help. And while I respect and appreciate the jovial but no-nonsense philosophy prof Dr. Willard, having the up-beat and practical John Ortberg interview him, and work with him here is a stroke of genius. Together their tag-team makes this DVD an exceptional resource, serious, meaningful, profound. Six Sessions. Participant’s Guide sells for $9.99 Want to see what I mean about this? Watch this brief youtube clip.

DVD The Life You Always Wanted John Ortberg (Zondervan) $24.99 Six Sessions   I believe that this may be one of the top rentals in our DVD department here at the shop and folks who use it sometimes want to use it again and buy it for themselves. While Ortberg calls the wonderful book from which the DVD is drawn “Willard for Dummies”, it is essentially about the practice of the spiritual disciplines. And what a hands-on, zany show it is. Rev. Ortberg is a born teacher, using great stories and hands-on illustrations in his little class as the course unfolds. You will learn about spiritual disciplines, helpful practices, and how God can transform us day by day—not by just “trying hard” but by wise training. Participant’s Guide sells for $9.99 Highly recommended. Get a feel for this wonderful, fun series by watching this brief promo.

DVD God Is Closer Than You Think John Ortberg (Zondervan) $24.99 Six Sessions If the previous DVD class walked participants through classic spiritual disciplines–in upbeat and contemporary ways—this is an equally pleasant and very engaging study of how to find God in the ordinary moments of ordinary days. How do we actually experience the presence of God? Again, Ortberg is an excellent communicator, a good teacher, and presents important material in interesting and helpful ways. Participant’s Guide sells for $9.99   A personal favorite! Watch this trailer for this well done series. God is closer than you think! Love it! (By the way, I really liked the original cover art of the first edition of this book—google it and find the one that looks like an eye chart. I guess our tastes were in the minority as they changed it shortly after the release.)

DVD The Psalmist’s Cry: Scripts for Embracing Lament Walter Brueggemann (House Studio) $39.99 Wow, is this amazing! And some of the amazement is that an affiliated of the Church of the Nazarene’s are publishing UCC Bible scholar, brother Walt. This package includes a 5 session DVD and a very visually-exciting book—created, as other House Studio products (DVDs of Shane Claiborne (The Economy of Love) and Stanley Hauerwas (Sunday Asylum) for instance) with edgy, youthful verve. In this footage, Brueggemann notes that we all live in a state of denial, covering up our pain and our cultural dislocation, and the Psalms that emerged out of the horror of exile truly offer us tools for naming our pain. Failing to do so may literally result in losing the gospel itself, and these short, raw, dramatic pieces should generate deep thought and important conversation. More books are available for $12.99. Is this about spiritual formation? The last session is entitled “the juice of emancipation.” You tell me. Whew.

DVD When I Don’t Desire God: How to Fight for Joy John Piper (Crossway) $29.99 I know that Piper may be a bit bombastic for some, but he is a pastor who cares deeply for his people’s joy. Of course, he teaches that we are most satisfied and delighted when we make much of God and are conformed to Christ–leaving everything for that pearl of great price. But, yet, what if we don’t really want to search for God? What if we are stuck in apathy and don’t desire a spiritual awakening? These 2 DVDs include straight up Bible preaching, six sessions, about a half hour each, by the famous Baptist teacher. Maybe you don’t think you’ll love him. But this is such important material that I’d beg you to consider it.

Here is a sample of it; passionate and serious and important! (By the way, in this clip he is talking about fighting sin and temptation, using helpful distinctions between justification and sanctification. Some of the messages are more obviously about joy, about fighting for the pleasures of God, and what to do as we remind ourselves of God’s great glory in our dry times. Don’t let the heady excerpt or blunt topic scare you away!)

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C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Reading List

Posted on May 28, 2011 by Byron Borger

There are a handful of great organizations that have allowed us to be their book providers. As most of you know, we often go out on the road, setting up displays, taking the titles to town, selling them to the groups that are kind enough to allow us space. We do this with denominational groups and para-church ministries.

A few organizations have us listed at their websites, encouraging their patrons to order resources through us. It is a joy when someone says they saw our link at The Simple Way or Cardus, Square Halo Press or Burnside Writer’s Collective, The Washington Institute of Faith, Culture and Vocation or the CCO. Just the other day a fellow wandered in who had found us by reading Andy Crouch’s Culture Making: Recovering our Creative Calling (IVP; $22.00) where we are kindly mentioned. These organic connections are a blessing to us, even if (if truth be told) they don’t generate tons of business. We are honored to be connected to so many great groups.

Every summer we get a deluge of orders from our good friends at the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washington DC for their long-standing discipleship class called their Fellows Program. This rigorous training program is now being duplicated in Atlanta (three cheers for Lewis fan and visionary Bill Smith there) Annapolis, and, Lord willing, some other sites in years to come.

The Fellows program takes Lewis as a jumping off point but is not a Lewis study club. It is a discipleship class which informs both the heart and mind, using some of the best of today’s evangelical authors and includes meeting with mentors, lots of handouts, readings, downloaded sermons, even DVDs that have to be watched—including dramatizations from Luther to Amazing Grace to Bonhoeffer. Being involved in this multi-faceted, year-long learning community demands a large commitment (and, as you might imagine, most of the participants around the DC Beltway are themselves already in demanding careers, working in business and law and public service and research and the like.)

Could you imagine creating a year of study and learning in your community? Do you know folks hungry to learn? Would your program be worth their while? What resources would you use? â€¨â€¨The leaders of the C.S. Lewis Institute are theologically rigorous, evangelical, and, like Lewis, not only quite orthodox, but delightfully eager to read, talk, learn, and live out faith in the complexities of calling and career in the modern world.   As you can see, they read a lot.

We are glad that they suggest our services to the Fellows and we try to keep their required readings on hand so we can send them out promptly as they order throughout the year.

We thought it would be fun for our BookNotes readers to see this excellent list. I think I have read most of the books listed (in fact, have helped them pick a few of them.) Their list changes a bit from year to year and some years they have run a “year two” Fellows program with other titles. We thought you might be blessed just to know that these kinds of programs exist and that these kinds of reading lists have been developed.

Here is the list of what they are now using. In some cases, they only have to read certain key chapters. The descriptions are mine and you should recall that they work through these, using them wisely, discussing them with mentors, supplementing their formation with other reading, classes, videos and experiences.

We are grateful that they recommend us as a source for their folks to purchase these books and DVDs, but we should be clear that CSLI does not endorse Hearts & Minds in any official way nor does CSLI have any official relationship with us. We have sold books at some of their large conferences (with N.T. Wright, Ravi Zacharias or Os Guinness, say), we love their meaty quarterly journal (Knowing & Doing), appreciate their work, recommend the free audio and video lectures available at their website, and are glad for their friendship.

And we are grateful for book lists like this.

C. S. Lewis Institute FELLOWS READING LIST (summer 2011)

Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives
Richard Swenson (NavPress) $15.99 Who doesn’t need some sensible
guidance about managing resources—time, emotions, money and such. I
often tell people that this is the only book of this sort that I really
like. We’ve often raved about the devotional that is also available (Minute of Margin) and the sequel (In Search of Balance.) It makes a lot of sense to start with some attention to this very basic matter, our pace of life and wise sense of balance.

Ordering Your Private World Gordon MacDonald (Nelson) $15.99 A contemporary classic about priorities, character, and the inner life. Includes a study guide making it very useful as a foundational book.

Renewed Day by Day A.W. Tozer (Wingspan) $16.99 Some have compared this to My Utmost for His Highest, a year long devotional of extraordinarily insightful readings. This will surely touch you deeply, shaping your soul. To have Tozer as a companion for a year is a brilliant idea. I wonder if Lewis ever read him? I know Tozer read Lewis!

Satisfy Your Soul: Restoring the Heart of Christian Spirituality   Bruce Demarest (NavPress) $16.99 A studious, excellent, Christ-centered books about spiritual formation. One of the best!

Knowledge of the Holy A. W. Tozer (HarperOne) $12.95 Still one of the most best-selling religious books of the 20th century, a passionate study of the attributes of God.

Quiet Time IVCF Staff (IVP) $5.00 A small booklet inviting one to a daily quiet time. Nice.

Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life Donald Whitney (NavPress) $15.99 I sometimes say Whitney is a Reformed Richard Foster drawing more on Puritan sources than Foster’s monastic sources.

Spiritual Birthline: Understanding How We Experience New Birth Stephen Smallman (Crossway) $12.99 Do you know how to tell your spiritual journey? Does understanding justification and regeneration matter? Can you look back over your life and say when and how you crossed over the line to saving faith? Very interesting!

The Legacy of Sovereign Joy: God’s Triumphant Grace in the Lives of Augustine, Luther and Calvin John Piper (Crossway) $14.99 The passionate Piper has a series of books each studying a theme by way of three short biographies. This one reflects on God’s saving grace as understood by these titans of faith. Highly recommended.

The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine A.W. Tozer (Wingspread) $12.99 Again, Tozer–a remarkably innovative and learned leader of the Christian & Missionary Alliance denomination–shows himself to be solid with traditional, orthodox rigor, and yet with a sweetly mystical strain. Classic.

Concise Theology: A Guide to Historic Christian Beliefs J.I. Packer (Tyndale) $14.99 Our friends at CSLI are always on the look-out for how to teach basic theology with depth and warmth and brevity. It doesn’t get more clear and solid than this by one of the most important Reformed thinkers of the last 50 years.

Transforming Grace: Living Confidently in God’s Unfailing Love Jerry Bridges (NavPress) $14.99 Few books in recent years have explored the meaning of grace of justification and sanctification, for salvation and living, than this clear-headed, no-nonsense study. This is stuff every Christian should know.

DVD The Bible and the Christian Life: Six Sessions on the Authority, Interpretation,
And Use of Scripture John Stott (Zondervan) $19.99 You may recall that we’ve promoted this here before, and I’ve told of using it in an adult ed class at my own church. Six excellent, dense, clear, thoughtful and inspiring lectures by the incomparable British evangelical. (If you are using this in an Sunday school setting, each of the six talks are divided into portions to stop the DVD and discuss the content. Each lecture is just under an hour, so could be used in 6 weeks but can most fruitfully be used over 10 or 12 weeks.

DVD Luther Directed by Eric Til (MGM) $14.98 Staring Joseph Fiennes, this is entertaining, powerful stuff. Kudos to those in Hollywood who brought this well made drama to the silver screen.

C. S. Lewis Institute FELLOWS READING LIST (fall, winter, spring, 2011-2012)

DVD Gospel of John (The Visual Bible) $14.99 The entire gospel, verbatim (in the Good News translation) dramatically acted with Henry Ian Cusick (Desmond from Lost) playing Jesus. Directly by Philip Saville, it is tremendously done.

DVD Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace (Gateway Films) $19.95 Staring Ulrich Tukur, this is still one of the best films on the famous martyr and his role in the German resistance.

DVD The Hiding Place (Worldwide Pictures) $19.95 Julie Harris was nominated for an Academy Award for this powerful adaptation of Corrie Ten Boom’s classic memoir about their time under Hitler. Digitally restored and remastered in a wide screen edition.

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream David Platt (Waterbrook) $14.99 Have we reduced the gospel to fit our own cultural preferences of individualism and upward mobility? Hear this simple exhortation to reject the values of materialism and ease; hear the call to give our lives in radical ways to the work of the Kingdom.

My Heart Christ’s Home Robert Boyd Munger (IVP) $1.50 This little booklet has changed lives, telling the parable of one who invites Christ into his home. It has two great strengths: Jesus cleans up various rooms in the house (the bedroom, the library, etc) and He waits quietly for the resident to invite him to meet in daily quiet time. Lovely, interesting, useful.

The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics C.S. Lewis (HarperOne) $29.99 This handsome, hefty paperback includes five great Lewis books in their entirety, making is a fine value. Included are Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, and The Abolition of Man. Wit, wisdom, style, grace, scholarship, charm and truth. There are other great Lewis books, of course (The Weight of Glory comes to mind, The Four Loves is popular and his Letters to Malcolm on prayer is sweet) but this one is a solid start for any good library.

The Good Who Loves You Peter Kreeft (Ignatius Press) $14.95 Kreeft, nearly a contemporary Lewis himself, teaches philosophy at the Jesuit Boston College, is beloved for his own wit and charm and clear-headed logic. This is a deeply rewarding, rich text. C.S. Lewis’ friend, author Sheldon Vanauken (author of A Severe Mercy) says of it “I know of no writer today who can deal with (the subject of God’s love) more justly and lovingly than Peter Kreeft has done.”

Studies in the Sermon on the Mount Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Eerdmans) $30.00 Well, anyone who follows Jesus must grapple with his major teaching, and the sermon is perhaps his most didactic session. There are other books on this, of course, but Lloyd-Jones is truly one of the greatest preachers of the 20th century, who held forth in London for a generation. This big volume is a treasure chest, laden with sound insight and important commentary.

DVD Malokai: The Story of Father Damien (Era Films) $19.99 What an inspiring drama, portraying the legendary Catholic missionary who moved to a leper colony in Hawaii in 1872 and his self-sacrificial ministry. Produced in the Netherlands in 1999 it stars the likes of Peter O’Toole, Kris Kristofferson, Sam Neill and David Wenham.

The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism Timothy Keller (Riverhead) $16.00 Well, what thoughtful class on Lewis-esque faith in the modern world would be complete without a book by the author The New York Times suggested could be our contemporary Lewis, the pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian in Manhattan? This is a fine, well-written, accessible book about skepticism and the validity of Christian faith in our age. Highly recommended. (And then read all his other books!)

Humility: The Journey Towards Holiness Andrew Murray (Bethany) $7.99 A much-needed Christian virtue and one about which very little is written these days. Brief, poignant, very Biblical, written in the older style of the famous late 19th century South African evangelist.

DVD Through the Shadowlands (Vision Video) $19.99 Staring Joss Ackland and Clarie Bloom, this is the older British movie, aired on the BBC, not the more popular one with Anthony Hopkins. Lewis fans all commend it.

The Holy Spirit Billy Graham (Nelson) $14.99 There are more sophisticated scholarly works on the Spirit, some more practical about the Spirit’s gifts or fruits, but few are as clear and helpful and full of great information and inspiration. Graham was more of a great reader than most realize and this is a fine example of his lasting writing ministry. Very nicely done.

Can I Trust the Bible: Defending the Bible’s Reliability Darrell L. Bock (RZIM) $4.95 Of course there are hundreds of books of various sorts and styles, but this slim booklet has great information preparing you to give a reasonable case for the trustworthiness of Scripture. A very handy tool to have and to share with those who are perplexed.

Is the New Testament Reliable? (second edition) Paul Barnett (IVP) $16.00 With all the nonsense in the media about the gnostic gospels and the lack of historicity of the New Testament (not to mention the resurrection accounts) and any number of best-selling books about the errors of the earliest manuscripts, etcetera, etcetera, this is very interesting and a helpful case for authenticity and trustworthiness of the New Testament. Very well done.

Meditating on the Word Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Cowley) $17.95 In this remarkable volume you can read a letter Bonhoeffer wrote about the Bible, learn of his practical guidance about how to meditate on Scripture, and reflect on a handful of solid sermons on various Psalms. Not to be missed. Compiled and edited by Episcopal priest, David McI. Gracie.

DVD Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? (Ignatius Press) $19.95 This is a fascinating and educational documentary featuring an array of conservative Catholic, mainline Protestant and evangelical scholars, from Fr. Mitch Pacwas, Johnnette Benkovic, Craig Blomberg, Craig Evans, Timothy Gray, Gary Habermas, Edward Sri, Roy Schoeman, Fr. Ronald Tacelli, Ben Witherington. All have PhDs and each offer insight in this critical examination of the facts about the resurrection of Jesus. Wow.

The Call: Finding and Fulfilling Your Life’s Central Purpose Os Guinness (Nelson) $17.99 Thoughtful evangelicals in the DC area who are striving to live out their faith and convictions in the marketplace, the academy, the think-tanks and corridors of power surely must have a strong understanding of the Biblical notion of vocation (as should we all.) You may know I have viewed Os as a bit of a mentor and hero and often say this is one of my favorite books. Kudos to CSLI for holding up this vision and reading this wonderfully rich and beautifully written work.

DVD Amazing Grace (Bristol Bay/20th Century Fox) $19.99 Directed by Michael Apted.   Much has been written about this exceptionally popular drama about the profoundly Christian work of William Wilberforce, his sense of calling, and his effort to integrate his faith and his own political vocation. The story of the long British campaign to abolish slavery has never been more wonderfully told. A perfect movie to use in Washington, of course, but a vital one for us all. Highly recommend to own and to loan.

CD “Understanding Postmodernism” Mark Stibbes (Father’s House Trust) $10.95 We have paid a copyright fee and have been given permission to duplicate this audio lecture by the creative British evangelist and are happy to make it available to friends of the CSLI. There is so much more to learn about this topic, but this is an articulate starting point.

The Postmodern World: Discerning the Times and the Spirit of Our Age Millard J. Erickson (Crossway) $14.99 Lewis fans will know that Lewis had great concern about the nature of truth, and also exposed the ways in which faith in scientistic rationalism reduced our insights, disregarding the role of the imagination, a human way of knowing that he valued deeply. Was Lewis, then, an early postmodernist? Hmmm. That isn’t the theme of this book—which attempts to give a fair and lucid explanation of the role of postmodern theories in popular culture, at the university. One cannot avoid this question, and Erickson is a fine guide to the discussions, offering some wise, qualified appreciation and much critique of deconstruction.

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Posted in Reviews

Learning to love what God loves: Creation Care and Christian discipleship

Posted on April 26, 2011 by Byron Borger

It was a year ago that the momentous oil leak in the Gulf coast exploded onto the national scene, with pictures and videos and news reports and prayer services and a stunning amount of day by day information. I am sure you, too, would say it was hard not to be upset about it.   Like other similar, terrible days in our memory—the Exxon Valdez oil spill, Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, Bhopal—I had so many mixed emotions as the disasters were reported and the damage become known. This time, for me, I felt less righteous anger and more deep sadness. Less a desire to rise up for social change and more paralyzed fear and hopelessness (not cynicism or apathy, really, just inertia.) Perhaps I yielded to what the ancients called the sin of sloth–not laziness, really, but an inability to trust God, to rouse one’s self to faithfulness. I wanted to write a bit about it—it is at least something I could do, alerting our friends, civic leaders, students, activists, prayer warriors, thought leaders, pastors and others who read our BookNotes blog, about resources for education and action. Alas, I could not. I’ve felt guilty for a year now and as the sad anniversary pictures—and the governments less than stellar enforcement, and BP’s recalcitrance, well, I feel awful.

Now the Japanese nuclear reactors are spilling their poison all over the seas, the wind carrying the low-level radiation who knows where. There are the standard government cover- ups, the out-right lies, the technological optimists who naturally have a gizmo for every social sin. And then there are the witless folks complaining about the media coverage, as if they know that radiation ain’t that bad. They are wrong. Heaven help us.

And this week, those taken with a similar spirit of technological optimism and cavalier attitudes about poison-sharing are minimizing a crisis here in our own beloved state of Pennsylvania. Penn’s Woods, it was once called, purchased fairly by Quaker William Penn. Our backyard nuke plant, TMI, recently failed (another) safety test. One of our own PA Congressmen helped lead the charge in congress to weaken the Clean Water Act. And the natural gas industry has discovered quick and easy ways to obtain the natural gas deposits by a controversial, short-cut popularly called fracking. You most likely have heard of the documentary Gasland (some of it set in Pennsylvania) showing the dangers of this; the scene of fire coming out of the water spigot is enough to give anybody pause. What in the heck are these guys thinking, supposing that such ground water pollution is acceptable? Our new governor, elected in part by the Tea Party right, including beloved neighbors of mine, is giving these guys the green light, big, big time, drilling even in state game reserves.

That is, until the accident last week when a wellhead failure caused a blowout in Bradford County, spilling tainted water into farmlands and streams; most polluted was Towanda Creek, which runs directly into the mighty Susquehanna, which runs into the Chesapeake Bay.

As the spill in Northern Pennsylvania continues its toxic flow—relatively small, compared to $20frack6.2_04-22-2011_KLHKJGT.jpg$ the large Gulf oil disaster—a bit of attention is now being given to the other unsavory practices of these slick natural gas guzzlers, like the controversial practice of dumping waste into rivers, a practice they supported until just months ago. (Oh how I despise their dishonest bill boards all over the place, making them sound so clean and safe and nice!) Even our not-very-green Republican administration this week has called on drillers to stop, as an Associated Press journalist put it, “using riverside treatment plants to get rid of the millions of barrels of ultra-salty, chemically tainted waste-water that gush from gas wells.”

From today’s local paper, an AP story that should have been on page 1, but of course was usurped by stupid stories about Easter egg hunts and such:

The water that flows from active wells is often contaminated with traces of chemicals injected into the wells during a drilling procedure called hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which breaks up the shale and frees natural gas. The flowback water also brings back from underground such naturally existing contaminants as barium, strontium, and radium.
Worries about the contaminants took on added urgency after the Monongahela River, a western Pennsylvania waterway that serves as a major source of drinking water for Pittsburgh and communities to its south, became so salty in 2008 that people began complaining about the taste.

The Department of Environmental Protection responded by curtailing the amount of wastewater sent to plants on the Monongahela. It also wrote new rules barring wastewater treatment plants from accepting more drilling wastewater than already permitted unless they were capable of turning out effluent with salt levels that met drinking water standards.
Those rules, though, left most of the existing wastewater treatment plants alone, and between 15 and 27 continued to pump out millions of gallons of water that scientists said was still high in some pollutants.

Over the past year and a half, a handful of researchers, including Jeanne VanBriesen, a professor of civil engineering at Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanley States, director of water quality at the Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority, have been collecting evidence on an increase in bromide in rivers that were being used for gas wastewater disposal.
By itself, bromide is harmless, but when combined with the chlorine used to sanitize drinking water supplies, it can produce substances called trihalomethanes that have been linked in some studies to increased human cancer rates after years of exposure or consumption.

The industry has, until now, expressed mostly skepticism about any possible link between drilling waste and water quality problems.

When The Associated Press reported in January that some drinking water systems close to gas wastewater treatment plants had struggled to meet EPA standards for trihalomethanes, the article was written off by industry groups as irresponsible, as was a similar report by The New York Times in February that focused on the presence of radium in drilling waste.

You’ve seen Erin Brockovitch. You surely know that tragedies like the BP oil leak do not happen in an ideological, political, or economic vacuum. The Bible teaches that there are “principalities and powers” and it is also clear that we shape cultures based on our deepest idols. We image either the true Creator God or we reflect other false ideologies, for better or for worse. Environmental accidents are not just technological mishaps, but are injustices which occur amidst political decisions, business practices, worldview assumptions, ethical choices, philosophical ideas, leadership failures. They are results of our way of life, based on our ultimate beliefs about things. Former Dutch Parliament member and Christian economist Dr. Bob Goudzwaard (and his co-authors) in Hope for Troubled Times< /i>: A New Vision for Confronting Global Crisis (Baker; $22.00) are surely right to link ideology and idolatry as we discern the inter-relatedness of the symptoms and the most root cause of social break-down. (Brian McLaren wisely and with great verve raises the same theme in Everything Must Change: When the World’s Biggest Problems and Jesus’ Good News Collide (Nelson; $14.99) perhaps his most important book, where he shows how a fundamental change in our “framing narrative” would lead to new ways of grappling with the most pressing social concerns.) Granted, often things are not simplistic and there aren’t usually simple “good guys and bad guys” wearing their own white or black hats. That is not to say that there are not good and bad guys sometimes; there surely are. And, sometimes they are one and the same.

(In the Pennsylvania case, interestingly, two active natural gas drillers, Range Resources, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Atlas Energy, now a subsidiary of Chevron, had gone to the government and told them that the fouling of streams cannot last and they recommended longer-term solutions. Good for them. They propose shipping the waste to Ohio, which starts in mid-May, I believe. Sigh.)

All of which is to say, again and again, that as God’s people, the church community must be aware of the issues of the day--a la the sons of Issachar of 1 Chronicles 12:23. We must be vigilant to be agents of gospel transformation, and must be voices of justice, also for the land itself. Older mainline liberal churches, under the influence of the mixed-bag of the social gospel tradition several generations ago, used to staff sophisticated social policy advocacy groups; these groups are less active and less influential these days, it seems. (In our state, the state Council of Churches has a public policy specialist who does a great job on these things and we are grateful.) Passionate and often younger evangelicals these days are on the front lines serving the poor, doing third world mission trips, calling for a wholistic faith lived out in action, but they have not been quite so active in engaging the complexities of public policy and structural reformation. Which is why we regularly recommend books about culture and social transformation, titles that help us think broadly about our involvement in God’s world, like the aforementioned Goudzwaard and McLaren. (Think, too, of Andy Crouch’s truly delightful and very helpful Culture Making or James Davison Hunter’s much discussed To Change the World or Michael Slaughter’s Change the World or Brian Walsh & Steven Bouma-Predigar’s Beyond Homelessness or, always, the thoughtful and local reflections of Wendell Berry—try his Sex, Economy, Freedom, and Community for starters. Just out this week is a very readable book which is getting a lot of attention by a former business executive and administrator of Sojourners, Christians and the Common Good: How Faith Intersects Public Life by Charles Gutenson; it is strong on Biblical stuff, progressive in its vision of economic justice, fair and balanced about a host of vexing issues. It has hardly anything about the environmental crisis, though, which is a notable weakness for a primer of this sort.) And we sometimes recommend books on politics and policy engagement, like this little list, which is at our “books by vocation” pages, or this bigger list, offered two years ago to a group of thoughtful lawyers and legal thinkers (scroll down to the second half for more political books.) These kinds of lists we hope are useful to inspire us to be salt and light in the world and we do commend them.

I am on a roll preaching to the choir, here, I suppose, and it should be evident that the Bible teaches what might be called a green theology–a strong emphasis of the doctrine of creation (what Calvin called “the theatre of God.”) At Easter we recall that Christ’s bodily resurrection points to a new creation that certainly includes a renewed call to care for the Earth. N.T. Wright’s Surprised By Hope gets at this as do fine books like Albert Wolter’s Creation Regained or Michael Witmer’s very nice Heaven Is A Place On Earth. Stewardship and development of the potentials of a good (if fallen) creation are central to a Christian way of seeing life. As we celebrate God’s good creation, confess our sinful role in adding to the dysfunction of a fallen world, and affirm that only Christ can rescue us (we cannot do it ourselves) and that he does His restoring work on the cross, we realize that at the very heart of Christian theology is a serious, non-negotiable commitment to care for the world God has entrusted to us, the world that we messed up and that He has graciously saved. Empowered by the Spirit, under the authority of the now ascended King, we are to humbly go about our business, in deeds of humility, reclaiming God’s world from brokenness and despair (and yes, pollution and degradation.) We are to re-claim that original cultural mandate, nicely summarized in Genesis 2:15, to tend and keep the garden. Part of what it means to be human is to not only be a fellow-creature but to be a caretaker of it all.

The Hebrew word shamar, (to keep) that gives us our primordial human vocation is the same word that shows up often in Biblical blessings—as in, ‘may the Lord watch and keep you, make His face to shine upon you, to give you peace’ That is, we are at least to protect, hopefully even bless and enhance, that which is in our keeping. We are called to blessed creation care. We are called to Christ-like service to our fellow-creatures, protecting, at least.

So, here are some books about all this. We have more. Too many, actually, for a sensible business, since so few sell. It breaks my heart to know that so few of these kinds of resources are well-known, most not on the shelves of church libraries or resource centers, not selling well at most Christian bookstores. Some fine green titles quickly go out of print since customers do not buy them from the stores, or the stores don’t by them from the publishers. (Some stores refuse to stock them, even, which is another sad story.) We hope you understand our desire to be known as a place which desires to glorify God by making available these kinds of books, because we believe they do glorify God; creation care pleases Jesus, who obviously spoke often of plants and animals, and counseled us to “consider the lilies.” This is faithful, urgent, important stuff. Thanks for caring.

BOOKS ABOUT LOVING THE CREATION
It is my hunch that we will rarely care much about stuff we take little delight in. We must pray that God shapes our desires and that we come to appreciate creation–it is God’s handiwork, after all, and we dare not be cavalier abou
t the things he made, sustains, and says is good. Gee, you’ve read the end of Job, haven’t you? Or the long zoological Psalm 104? Why don’t the Biblical literalists talk about this?

So a few nice books to enjoy, to deepen our delight, to remind us of the awesome wonder of a world.

The Soul of the Night: An Astronomical Pilgrimage Chet Rayo (Cowley) $15.95 These elegant essays were first written in the 80s, reissued years later in a handsome paperback with wood cuts illustrating the wonderful prose by this seeker, mystic, scientist and storyteller.

The Wisdom of Wilderness: Experiencing the Healing Power of Nature Gerald May (Harper) $13.99 Many love May’s insightful, pastoral, psycho-spiritual books like Addiction and Grace. Here (with a forward by Parker Palmer) the urbane psychiatrist lets us in on a passion of his life: solo wilderness camping, appreciating the beauty of nature, and a deep belief in the goodness of the journey into the wild.

Surprises Around the Bend: 50 Adventurous Walkers edited by Richard Hasler (Augsburg) $14.99 We’ve really enjoy this nice collection of excerpts of journals written by famous hikers, naming their joy, their insight, their motivation, their struggles and discoveries. A spirituality of hiking? Check out these neat stories by Francis of Assisi, John Bunyan, John Chapman (that would be Johnny Appleseed), John Muir, James Michener, Thomas Merton, Toyohiko Kagawa, Martin Luther King, Henry Thoreau, of course, and dozens more. Even includes reflections by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Mother Teresa and C.S. Lewis. Who knew they wrote about walking? Take this in your day pack on your next adventure.

Summer: A Spiritual Biography of the Season Edited by Gary Schmidt & Susan Felch (Skylight Paths) $18.99 I’ve written before about the four seasonal volumes that make up a handsome set as they include not only excerpts of great literature, a multi-ethnic global perspective, offering fine ecological insights, but these are books of wondrous beauty–in the subject about which they write, of course, but in the (often famous) writing itself. I’ve listed the summer one, but all four are truly lovely, including poetry, short fiction, memoir, science writing, and selections of the world’s sacred Scriptures. Schmidt and Felch, by the way, teach in the English department of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, MI.

All Creation Sings: The Voice of God in Nature J.
Ellsworth Kalas (Abingdon) $14.00
Rev. Kalas is renowned as basic Bible
study leader, a prolific author of nice books used in adult ed classes
or for basic Christian growth. He is the former President of Asbury Theological Seminary and is a fine writer. Here he turns his attention to what the
Bible says–and, wow, does it say a lot–about the way in which creation
speaks God’s voice. Consider this, among other things, an extended meditation on Psalm 19:1. Or a reflection on the hymn “This Is My Father’s World” from which the title is taken. It is a core Bible teaching that we don’t hear much about. Very nice, with good discussion questions making it very appropriate for a study group, Bible class, reading group or for adult Sunday school use.

Bridges, Paths and Waters; Dirt Sky and Mountains: A Portable Guided Retreat on Creation, Awe, Wonder, and Radical Amazement and Cairn-Space: Poems, Prayers, and Mindful Amblings about the Place We Set Aside for Meaning, Prayer, and the Sacramental Life in the New Monasticism N. Thomas Johnson-Medland (Wipf & Stock) $17.00 & $20.00 respectively We have come to know Tom as a customer and friend and we can tell you he is thoughtful, widely-read, a playful writer, and doing a fine job bringing healthy food to a United Methodist church camp. He’s got a bunch of degrees, a servant heart and a poet’s pen. These are great resources for anybody who wants a spiritual companion for their enjoyment of place and space in the great outdoors, especially if they are drawn to the poetic, mystical and provocative.

Water, Wind, Earth & Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements Christine Valters Paintner (Sorin Books) $14.95 I think I have written about this before, and noted that I am nervous about resources that give the impression that we can dabble in pantheism. We are not the creator, the stuff of earth is not divine. That said, this is a fine and innovative way to use the stuff of earth as avenues for, springboards into, and allies towards the spiritual journey, written by a gentle Benedictine sister and artist. It may seem weird for some. For the Psalmists who wrote lines like the ones saying God named the stars and the trees clap their hands, well, maybe it is us who are mistaken, thinking this is so unusual. Beautiful!

Wild Thoughts from Wild Places David Quammen (Scribner) $14.00 Our best scientists have much to teach us, and this is science reporting combined with travel writing. Thrilling, fun, wonderfully written, these are essays about, well, kayaking on the Futaleufu River of southern Chile, black market parrots in eastern Indonesia, and urban coyotes. He’s known for the popular Song of the Dodo and has won the National Magazine Award for science essays in Outside magazine. Enjoy, learn, and be in awe!

American Earth: Environmental Writing Since Thoreau edited by Bill McKibben (Library of American) $40.00 I write about this spectacular collection from time to time, this massive, sturdy hardback with a ribbon marker that includes excerpts from just about everybody in the field: from Walt Whitman to Annie Dillard, from Jonathan Schell to Michael Pollen, from E.B. White to Barry Lopez, from Terry Tempest Williams to Mary Oliver. These are the essential writings that have tried to change how we see our place in the natural world. How could you not want a handy place to read Barbara Kingsolver and John Muir and Wendell Berry and (yes) P.T. Barnum?

High Tide in Tucson: Essays From Now or Never Barbara Kingsolver (Harper) $13.00 For my money this may be the best one-volume collection of essays about nature I’ve read—truly well crafted, challenging and so interesting. I’m sure you know we adore most of her fiction, and Animal, Vegetable, Miracle is a modern classic about homesteading and local eating. This 1995 collection deserves continual acclaim and I can hardly find a better example of the sheer joy of sensible reading. The back cover calls it “defiant, funny, and courageously honest.”

A Weed By Any Other Name: The Virtues of a Messy Lawn, or: Learning to Love the Plants We Don’t Plant Nancy Gift (Beacon) $23.95 Okay, this is a green case for organic lawns and a warning about hazardous herbicides. But it is also a fun and beautiful rumination on what I might say is the goodness of God’s creation, found in the unseemly weed. Love it!

To Garden With God Christine Sine (Mustard Seed Associates) $16.00 My how I respect Tom and Christine Sine, who joyfully have networked folks for years, forming and sustaining communities that think missionally, practice spiritual disciplines, serve the poor, create faithful liturgies and—yep–garden like mad. This emerges out of more than 15 years of gardening experience and offers practical advise, fascinating stories, and solid spiritual lessons about God’s good creation. This is a “must-read” on reviewer of green books wrote, laden with “profound Biblical insights about gardens and gardening…” What a wonderful resource from trusted friends in Seattle.

Digging In: Tending to Life in Your Own Backyard Robert Benson (Waterbook) $12.99 A few seasons ago I said that this was my favorite little book of the year—a truly lovely, wonderfully written, quiet little memoir of this writer telling about his lawn care—or, I should say, his garden care, since his garden took over his whole yard. He loves his place, his local parish, his neighborhood. Digging in tells us how it is done, with grace and dirt and prayer and work. A writer’s light touch makes this a treasure to read and ponder.

Year of Plenty: One Suburban Family, Four Rules, and 365 Days of Homegrown Adventure in Pursuit of Christian Living Craig Goodwin (Sparkhouse) $12.95 Before I ordered this I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder—hadn’t the publisher known this has been done, a couple of times, by now. Heck I raved about a book Beth and I loved, Plenty. But from the minute it arrived, with a spectacularly beautiful cover and a moving endorsing blurb from Eugene Peterson, I was hooked. Happily, the Goodwin fam has gotten some publicity (from NPR to The New York Times to the thehighcallingsblog) and this may be one of the sweetest new books of the spring. Year of Plenty is well written with charm and insight; Goodwin is a Presbyterian pastor, a farmer’s market manager and a fine educator and neighborhood organizer about preserving food, sustainable lifestyles and the like. Most of all, he’s a fun writer, a deeply spiritual leader who sees the connection between faith and food.

The Spirit of Food: 34 Writers on Feasting and Fasting in God edited by Leslie Leyland Feilds (Wipf & Stock) $20.00 I named this as one of the very best books of the year of 2010 and I again celebrate as a marvel of a book. A few of the essays are as joyfully written as anything I’ve read, beautiful stuff about food, eating, creation and God’s good grace. There is the famous excerpt about onions by Robert Farrar Capon’s Supper of the Lamb, and Denise Frame Harlan’s essay inspired by it. Bon appetite!

Hunting for Hope: A Father’s Journeys (Beacon) $16.00 Only some of this is what might be called “nature writing” and those portions are not the only parts that inspire. Sander’s had an angry confrontation with a son while one a hiking trip—one that was supposed to help their
relationship—and he realized his dark view of the world had hurt his son’s world. You may know Saunder’s is an exceptional, dear, thoughtful writer and he tells of setting out to find sources of hope. It has been called “rare” and “extraordinary” and “a small bright, arrowhead of a book” and is a beautiful example of the personal memoir with huge societal implications. Take heart, parched souls!

The Gift of Creation: Images from Scripture and Earth edited by Norman Wirzba, photographs by Thomas Barnes (Acclaim Press) $39.95 I have touted this beautiful coffee-table book before and couldn’t help but list it here, again. Barns is a stunning, color photographer, and his friend, Norman Wirzba, has compiled a series of top-shelf essays by theologians, Bible scholars and practitioners who offer solid exposition alongside these wonderful nature images. Included are essays by Ellen Davis, Sylvia Keesmaat, Barbara Rossing, William Brown, Cal DeWitt and more. There is a good afterward by Matthew Sleeth. What a handsome gift, lavish and good.

And, for fun, consider this Bruce Cockburn song from his 2002 album You’ve Never Seen Everything, “Don’t Forget About Delight.” Not about the beauties of creation, only, but a fine, slow, somewhat jazzy reminder…wonderfully cool violin, too. And it ends in a prayer.

BOOKS THAT REMIND US OF THE URGENCY OF THE CRISIS
Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough, New Planet   Bill McKibben (Griffin) $14.99 I cannot stress enough how important this book is, how readable–despite the horrific stuff he studies–and how helpful it is. It is shocking, yes, and urgent. Even as I write there is record-breaking flooding along the Mississippi; McKibben explains simply how carbon emissions change the amount of heat in the air, causing significantly changed weather patterns. More hurricanes, floods, lightning, forest fires, droughts, and more can be traced to the increase in carbon emissions. Knowing what the melting of the polar ice-caps does to the oceans is fascinating and acute. Still, as passionate as it is, it is not despairing and it is not without it’s moments of joy.

Earth: The Operators Manuel Richard B. Alley (Norton) $27.95 This very handsome and really interesting hardback (almost 500 pages) is the brand new companion volume to the upcoming PBS documentary on climate change and the benefits of renewable energy. This has so much information–and so winsomely presented—it will surely convince those who are skeptical about these matters. The author (a popular geology prof at Penn State and a member of the U.N. Climate Change Task Force) even addresses what some call “climate-gate” and the politicalization of science. I wish this were a cheaper paperback, but it is important enough, and good enough, to be on the short list of books you should consider this season. At least check it out of the library and watch the PBS show airing in April.

Big Coal: The Dirty Secret Behind America’s Energy Future Jeff Goodell (Mariner) $14.95 There are dozens and dozens of books about our polluted air and diminished quality of life. If you were starting with a few, this may be one of the more urgent. Jann Wenner endorsed it saying “Big Coal does for energy what Fast Food Nation did for the American meal.” At least.

The Heat is On: The Climate Crisis, the Cover-Up, The Prescription Ross Gelbspan (Perseaus) $13.00 Fifteen years ago I saw Bill McKibben’s quote “Until you’ve read this book, you’re ill-equipped to think about the planet’s future” and had to stock it. Of course I’d add something like N.T. Wright’s Surprised By Hope or Al Wolter’s Creation Regained to get at the real future promised by Yahweh. But McKibben’s endorsement wasn’t hyperbole and he is right. A classic, still.

Fight Global Warming Now: The Handbook for Taking Action in Your Community Bill McKibben (Holt) $13.00 I hope you know his 360 organization (find how why this number is so important in Eaarth.) This is a book that came from his “step up” team, activists who want to instruct people on what is most important to do, what way to accomplish important goals at a local level, and how to jump-start volunteers with quick, ad-hoc actions that can offer persuasive political pressure.

Why We Disagree about Climate Change: Understanding Controversy, Inaction and Opportunity Mike Hulme (Cambridge University Press) $29.99 Published by the world’s leading scholarly press, this deeply reflective and careful book is rich, very conversant in the natural sciences and the social sciences, in data and the philosophy of science. With head and heart he evaluates the state of the discussion and offers rare balance and calm—dissenting from those who present the crisis in overly alarmist terms and those who are in denial. He articulates the complex arguments in clear prose and offers a “third way” that is well worth considering. Some say this is the most important book leading up to the infamous Copenhagen conference; there is no doubt he has been involved in the research for decades and is one of the most informed scientific voices writing today.

Merchants of Doubt: How a Handful of Scientists Obscured the Truth on issues from Tobacco Smoke to Global Warming Naomi Oreskes & Erik Conway (Bloomsbury) $18.00 (The paperback edition due May 24, 2011.) This won any number of prestigious journalistic and book awards last year, making it a reliable (if admittedly one-sided) expose of how big money has influenced some scientists, as they “sell their soul” to support the unsupportable. There are entire chapters on those who doubted the dangers of tobacco, and of second hand smoke, acid rain, the ozone hole, and especially global warming. This book maintains that the science is settled and only those with vested interests—and they name names and show said vested interests—offer doubts and pseudo-science, to resist regulation and reform. They lay tons of facts on the table to show, as one reviewer put it, “that a key group of figures in global warming denial earned their spurs in tobacco-industry funded attempts to discredit the links between smoking and cancer.” Do you remember the movie The Insider? This stuff is real, folks…

(By the way, in recent weeks we have heard much about conservative evangelicals who perhaps properly express concern about Rob Bell’s failing to mention much about God’s holiness in his book Love Wins. Yet, I must wonder about all those who seem so very interested in that essentail topic: have they not read Proverbs 6 or Isaiah 32:7 or Jeremiah 9:8 about public deception and God’s holy hatred of injustice through lies? Do they not think a holy God finds the sorts of stuff documented in this book to be an abomination? Why don’t they blog on this, for God’s sake? And while exploring that, why not throw in a post on how Hosea 4:3 relates to the Pennsylvania Towanda River spill, the lies about Three Mile Island or of the Deepwater tragedy?)

Something’s Rising: Appalachians Fighting Mountaintop Removal Silas House (University of Kentucky Press) $19.95 This immoral method of blowing up mountains, leaving c
ommunities devastated, is well documented in this moving, powerful, urgent work. Wendell Berry recently said he should have done civil disobedience to stop this decades ago. This injustice against the land and mountain people is a national disgrace. Visit Christians for the Mountains for more down-home info.

Lost Mountain: A Year in the Vanishing Wilderness: Radical Strip Mining and the Devastation of Appalachia Erik Reese (Riverhead) $14.00 Glad this powerhouse of an up-close account of the rapacious coal industry is now out in paperback—read it and weep! It is hard to put down—earned a “starred review” from Publisher’s Weekly.

Living Beyond the “End of the World”: A Spirituality of Hope Margaret Swedish (Orbis) $18.00 On the back of the cover they say this is “a chilling forecast of ecological catastrophe and an outline of the moral and spiritual resources we will need to survive.” Swedish is a seasoned activist, a Catholic advocate for solidarity with the oppressed of Central America. Here, she wonders what sort of human beings must we become if we are going to embody hope in desperate times. This is serious, heavy, and at times very moving.

EXCELLENT BOOKS ON BIBLICALLY-BASED CREATION CARE
Serve God Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action J. Matthew Sleeth (Zondervan) $14.99 This is especially recommended for being upbeat, interesting, fairly short, quiet easy to follow, with good discussion questions. Thoroughly evangelical, compelling, offering a lot of inspiring ideas.

Green Revolution: Coming Together to Care for Creation Ben Lowe (IVP) $15.00 As a young man, Lowe ran for congress; he is passionate, thoughtful, wise, and already accomplished. This recent work is the best book on this topic I’ve read all year– engaging, serious, enjoyable, and full of great testimonies of folks (especially on evangelical colleges) who are doing so very much on this issues. A cool forward by Shane Claiborne will enhance its appeal to fans of Shane’s work and illustrates it’s progressively evangelical vibe. I can’t say enough about this energetic new voice and this excellent introduction to creation care, local activism, stuff that can be done, and projects that cry out to be done. Highly recommended.

Green Like God: Unlocking the Divine Plan for our Planet Jonathan Merrit (Faith Words) $16.99 We met Jonathan at the CCO’s Pittsburgh Jubilee conference this past year and he did a fine, fine job. What a good thinker, connecting culturally-influential younger evangelicals with this solid concern about creation care. He’s very articulate, the book is balanced and yet passionate–has has been persuasive in his own Baptist circles and is increasingly sought out as a speaker, writer and preacher. He is on one of the brand new (here is a description of the first four Q DVD Group Studies; I’ll be writing about the 4 brand new ones soon!) Keep any eye on this dude—he’s an important leader and a dear guy who is nicely raising a ruckus in important places.

Church on Earth: Grounding Your Ministry in a Sense of Place Jeff Wild & Peter Bakken $10.99 (Augsburg) This small book (80 pages) deserves its own big review, but, for now, please note that it is really a lovely little paperback, easy to read, designed for congregations that want to attend to their local place. Do you remember Wendell Berry’s friend, Wes Jackson, who wrote the seminal Becoming Native To This Place? Or David Orr, a master environmentalist, who advised people to learn about their own watershed, local trees, and such? This is more than a call for local churches to be better stewards, not waste energy and to preach about creation-care. It is about the local congregation, and it’s facility, being a part of the local ecology, attending to and honoring the unique environmental joys and sorrows of its place. There are fine discussion questions, inviting you to reflect on the particulars of your place, wondering how such a theological vision can be generative for “placed” ministry.

Our Father’s World: Mobilizing the Church to Care for Creation Edward Brown (IVP) $15.00 Brown is a solid guy–he’s even visited us here at the shop–with a heart not only for environmentalism, but for world missions and congregational renewal. How audacious to think that ordinary churches can do more, that missional perspectives must include care for God’s own handiwork. One world-class Harvard scholar called it “beautiful and inspiring.” The discussion questions are really fantastic!

Tending to Eden: Environmental Stewardship for God’s People Scott Sabin (Judson) $18.00 There are a number of reasons why this fine work might be the best choice for a starter study; it really does have a fresh voice, provides good attention to global concerns, showing the connections between poverty and ecology. I like the “step aside with” sections which are nice introductions to people you should know, inspiring vignettes about Robert Linthicum, Matthew Sleeth, Calvin DeWitt, JoAnne Lyon, Leroy Barbar, Rusty Pritchard, et al.

For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care Steven Bouma-Prediger (Baker) $24.99 In recent years I am quick to say this is my favorite book on the subject; perhaps I should say the best semi-scholarly book. It is truly a masterpiece—meaty, thoughtful, Biblically-wise and very, very important, for being both solid and reliable and, at times, a bit creative and fresh. Perhaps a bit more than a typical book club or Sunday school class might want, but a “must-read” for leaders and anyone truly serious about the topic. (By the way, this was updated significantly a year ago and we have just a few of the older ones at a bit better than half price. Just ask when you order for the older version and get more than 50% off—$12.00.) SB-P is a science prof at Hope College and has done several other important books—one rigorous one called The Greening of Theology: The Ecological Models of Rosemary Radford Ruether, Joseph Stiller, and Jurgen Moltmann; another was co-written by Brian Walsh called Beyond Homelessness–if you read BookNotes at all, you’ve heard of it. For the Beauty…, though, is truly his life’s work, and is a must for those wanting to be well- read on the topic.

Global Warming and the Risen Lord: Christian
Discipleship and Climate Change
Jim Ball (EEN) $25.00 This book is a nice addition to any creation care library and might be the perfect book to give to one who is somehow suspect or thinks this socially concerned mission is somehow disconnected to our daily walk with Christ. There are some handsome b/w photos here, wonderful stories, tons of great teaching. Interestingly, much of this is just basic discipleship, Christian living 101 so to speak. At most points it is connected to the environmental crisis and the vocation to be stewards of creation, but it really is very clearly about how care for these concerns is rooted in our daily discipleship. There is a lot about social justice and concern for the poor, so the spirituality of creation care is very nicely established, situated in a wholistic vision of Kingdom living. Ball did a great job on this very matter, and he’s got the long-standing credentials to be doing this. The print is also larger than with most books so it would be a fine study for those with older members or anyone who doesn’t like tiny print. Vibrant, fun, handsomely designed pages, a bit challenging, wonderfully connecting basic Christian discipleship in the power of the Risen Lord and the opportunities of our times–this really is great! My friend Rev. Mitch Hescox of the Evangelical Environmental Network (and editor of Creation Care magazine) has a nice afterward, too. Christ is Risen Indeed!

A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith Based Decisions Katharine Hayhoe & Andrew Farley (Faith Words) $14.99 This is a prefect book for one who may not be convinced about the science behind the concerns about climate change. These authors are solidly evangelical, and have brought their Biblical commitments to bear in a lovely and inspiring way. This is balanced, thoughtful, moderate and exceptionally fair, from an undeniably Christian perspective. Very nicely done and very, very helpful. This is a true sign of God’s Spirit at work in the evangelical world. Highly recommended.

Christianity, Climate Change and Sustainable Living Nick Spencer, Robert White & Virginia Vroblesky (Hendrickson) $16.95   Wow, what a book! Spencer is a thoughtful and reliable theologian who runs a think tank on public theology (in the U.K.) while White is an esteemed science professor at Cambridge University—not too shabby, eh? Ms. Vroblesky is the former National Coordinator of the esteemed evangelical creation care group A Rocha, a group we love, with a faith-based activist bent. Good, good, stuff! This is timely, balanced, helpful, and enjoyable, although not what I’d call introductory or simple. A rave endorsement from Steven Bouma-Prediger and another from Bill McKibben illustrates that his is a book of much, much substance. One of the best.

Christians, the Care of Creation and Global Climate Change edited by Lindy Scott (Wipf & Stock) $17.00 This is a bit of a rare book but I list it because it not only has a stellar cast of participants, evangelicals in the leadership of creation care work, but because it tells the story of how one particular college (Wheaton College, a fairly culturally conservative, evangelical place in the mid-West) reflected on being more green as an institution and what they did about it. You can hear their President, here, deans, students, science professors, facilities operators. What a vision, documenting two major conferences held at Wheaton. McKibben calls it “a milestone.”

Walking Gently on the Earth: Making Faithful Choices About Food, Energy, Shelter and More Lisa Graham McMinn & Megan Anna Neff (IVP) $16.00 How can I get a whole lot of folks interested in this? Please, please give this wonderful book a chance—it is hopeful and interesting and mature and wise. And captivating. It deserves a large readership, should be a best-seller. Let me tell you why: it is honest, real, beautifully written, theologically clear and yet poetically inspiring and it is hopeful. It has few easy answers, invites deeper conversation, is broad and profound and practical in the very best sense. It is more than a “field guide” for faithful living (although in many ways it is) and it is more than tirade against pesticides and sweatshops. It looks nicely and thoughtfully at alternative energy sources and wonders about how we should arrange our families, our lifestyles, our neighborhoods as we walk through an unjust world. Ms Neff begins each chapter with a vignette that highlights her life in Africa while Mcminn explores the vast implications of Godly stewardship. I have read a wonderful book by McMinn on sexuality and another on spirituality. This is a gem, about beauty and goodness and justice and more. Very provocative and much to ponder.

Here is what writer Ben Lowe says of Walking Gently on the Earth: “This is a book about change. And hope. Drawing on wisdom from cultures
the world over, McMinn and Neff show us that the call to live well as
part of God’s creation is as urgent as it is ancient, and its faithful
pursuit is as much an art as it is a science. By challenging how we see
the world, they help us understand, in practical ways, that balance is a
thing of beauty, and that celebration and stewardship go hand in hand.”

The Gospel According to the Earth: Why The Good Book Is a Green Book Matthew Sleeth (HarperOne) $22.99 Although this strikes me as a bit pricey for a hardback, it is handsome and sturdy and covers so very much stuff it is really a fine book to own. There are oodles of quotes from all sorts of writers from church history, ecumenical and ancient voices we so badly need today. Sleeth’s first book (Serve God Save the Planet) was a quick and wonderful introduction to the environmental crisis and the call to faithful stewardship. This one is a bit more broad, covering well topics such as a simpler lifestyle, very wise counsel about sabbath, the role of music in our lives, how to see creation anew by worshipping well from the Psalms, and much more. Yes, there are good money-saving and stewardly tips but his keen insights are more than just handy ideas; this book can enhance your faith and stimulate your heart anew. Eugene Peterson writes of it, “Matthew Sleeth is a significant convert in the growing company of Christians who bring intelligence, passion, a biblically-trained imagination and mature Christian witness to the care of creation.” Nice!

DVD Blessed Earth: Hope for Creation and Hope for Humanity Matthew Sleeth, MD (Zondervan) $29.99 each Dr. Sleeth has created a very lovely video teaching series, ideal for small groups or adult ed classes or prayer groups and the publisher Zondervan is again to be commended for bringing artistically rich and theologically substantive interactive video teaching tools to us. Here, Sleeth tells (as he does in his books) of his journey from being a practicing medical doctor to a full time environmental activist and how his own personal faith has been strengthened and deepened by taking up his calling to teach others how to care for the earth. He’s a passionate speaker (connected with the moderately evangelical folks at Asbury Seminary) and it is good to see him live.

These two videos are both arranged with six episodes each. They are interesting, evocative, starting with ruminations one each day of creation, and moving towards living in ways that are green and faithful, serving the planet and serving the poor. I really enjoyed these and can’t imagine a setting where there wouldn’t be good and consequential conversations after viewing them. If you can’t find a group, use them yourself—you won’t be disappointed.

Below, I’ve listed the episode titles for each of the two parts and embedded a video so you can see the promo for the series. Each episode is about 10 minutes or so. Each comes packaged with a very cool guidebook packed with extra Bible verses, outlines, great discussion questions and application suggestions. You can buy the guidebooks separately for $9.99 each. They are very nicely done. Here is a “trailer” for the DVDs.

Hope for Creation: Light, Water, Soil, Heavens, Animals, and Man
Hope for Humanity: Rest, Work, Give, Share, Teach, and Hope

Hope for Creation Film Series Trailer from Blessed Earth on Vimeo.

You can visit the website www.blessedearth.com for other sample clips and other resources, including podcasts from Sleeth and others. Come on back and order from us!

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Posted in Reviews

Jubilee authors, best-selling books and that fulfillment of prophecy: Bob Goff’s door

Posted on March 1, 2011 by Byron Borger

I have been pretty sick for a few days and wanted to do this in two parts but I just couldn’t do it earlier. Sorry it is now so long. Consider it two for the price of one. I’ve posted it as a monthly “review column” since those are generally longer than a blog. I hope you read it all, not only because I tell of Jubilee—which means so much to us—but because I explain great books all along the way. I think I’m on to something with this, and hope you agree.   If your a new reader (maybe somebody we met at the conference, welcome aboard.)

PERHAPS IT WAS THE DOOR

Perhaps it was the door that symbolized for me the power of Jubilee 2011. Storytelling evangelist of holy whimsy and God-generated goodness–trusting Jesus and loving others with creative initiative–Bob Goff metaphorically, and literally, ripped the door off of a hell-hole of a small prison where 74 African children languished in jail for want of trials. Since he volunteered to train lawyers and then became a judge in the Ugandan court system, he got fair trails for these children who had been jammed in this awful prison room for over three years. 73 were found innocent and delivered to their homes and the prison shut down. He had the door there on stage. It sent shivers up my spine when he explained what it was—the actual door! It dawned on me that the Jubilee text of Luke 4 itself promises liberation from dark prisons; this was a partially fulfillment of that exact promise! I simply couldn’t hold back the tears. What does seeing something like this do to a young adult, sitting in a room, being similarly moved to think of doing great things with their own lives?   Oh, if you weren’t, I wish you coulda been there.

Goff briefly told of how his playful style got him the opportunity to gather some parliamentary leaders together and, well, got them to vote to ratify the United Nation’s law against child trafficking. He told a story some horrific abuse by some cruel witch doctors who had mutilated a child, leaving him for dead. Goff prosecuted the bad guys, and announced that they will get a ruling “this Wednesday.” He had a picture of the kid, with his attorney, Bob Goff. This, the first case applying an international treaty that he single-handedly got ratified.   Man, I wish you coulda been there.

OR THE MATH MAJORS

â€¨Or perhaps it was the pack of math majors who were crowded around the book table, astonished to be doing serious theology as they considered the books a speaker cited, books like Mathematics in a Postmodern Age: A Christian Perspective (Eerdmans; $35.00) or Mathematics and Religion: Our Language of Sign and Symbol by Javier Leach, a Spanish Jesuit writing in the Templeton Science & Religion series (Templeton; $19.95.) The Jubilee workshop leader, Anthony Tongen, came up through the ranks of CCO, attended Jubilee as an undergrad, heard me do my book talks about integrating faith and scholarship and was thus encouraged to see his planned career as a teacher as a holy calling. He now teaches as a prestigious university and will be a published author, as a book he has contributed to will be released later this year. Mathematics Through the Eyes of Faith edited by Russell Howell and James Bradley (HarperOne; $19.99 ) will take its place along others in that series like Literature Through the Eyes of Faith, Music Through the Eyes of Faith, Sociology Through the Eyes of Faith, Biology…., Psychology…, History…, Business, and others. All are quite good and knowing this Pennsylvania college kid has grown up to contribute to the rather arcane topic of religion and math, in this solid series published by HarperOne, and does this cheerfully at a secular university, well, it sort of sums up the vision of the Jubilee mission.

Another iconic moment for us was getting cheered as I stumbled on to the huge stage, under stadium lighting, and seeing out of the corner of my eye the jumbotrons showing off the books I was celebrating. If you click on the link to the pictures (at bottom) you’ll see one of me on the big stage and the screen behind me. I was telling about Richard Mouw’s tremendous little study of new creation called When The Kings Come Marching In: Isaiah and the New Jerusalem (Eerdmans; $14.00) We always promote a book or two about the Bible at Jubilee since Biblical literacy is a key to personal growth and subsequent social transformation. This year I also gave a shout out to Why the Bible Matters: Rediscovering Its Significance in an Age of Suspicion by Mike Erre (Harvest House; $13.99), which I thought would be perfect to get smart young guys and gals aware of the Big Picture of the Story, in a way that would resonate. You may recall me reviewing it earlier this year. And of course we pushed the easy-to-read, brief overview The True Story of the Whole World: Finding Your Place in the Biblical Drama by Michael Goheen and Craig Barthlomew (Faith Alive; $12.99.) They had a heavy duty Bible scholar doing a workshop on Scripture, too, although his important book isn’t due for a few months. We’ll have it for sure. Check out Old Testament Wisdom Literature: A Theological Introduction Ryan O’Dowd & Craig Bartholomew (IVP; $30.00.)

I don’t mean to brag, but we are often applauded when we’re out doing our book tables and I get to do up-front book announcements and blurbs; whether it is a retreat of Philadelphia area Episcopal priests or local UCC clergy or a conference on faithful politics in DC, it is gratifying that folks allow us to announce and describe books that might be helpful on their journey. We are grateful. Jubilee, though, takes this to the level of an extreme sport: there are slides and book covers shown in the program guide, gaggles of authors, and me under the spotlight with the timer ticking. (No, they don ‘t give me free reign with the clock. Not even the keynote speakers get that!) But it is deeply moving for us to know that a younger generation of vibrant Christians want to think hard about stuff, are will to buy Christian books, are learning the art of serious discernment as they grow into wise and active leaders who can be salt and light and leaven and hope for a world gone awry.

Although we may have been the most prominent display area—30 some tables, 70 some book categories (maybe you saw our cheat-sheet set up guide poster that somebody photographed and leaked on facebook and twitter)—the other booths were also indicative of the ways in which the Jubilee event draws students to think theologically (seminaries as diverse as Denver Seminary, Pittsburgh Theological and RTS are there) and to serve wholistically. Agencies like Blood:Water Mission and Mission Year stand along side booths helping students grapple with issues such as abortion, welfare reform, racial justice, creation care and the like. There are opportunities for students to work at summer church camps. CCO invites students to their stellar summer programs such as their two week kayaking trip for seniors, called Crossings, an adventure/ service project trip to Peru, and the one we have played some part in, Ocean City Beach Project where leaders learn to integrate personal spiritual formation, develop a Christian worldview, explore the call to Christian scholarship, learn to lead Bible studies and gain experience at relational evangelism in a shared living experience at the shore. (Do check out these links as CCO is searching for students to apply for these opportunities, regardless of where they are enrolled.) Just strolling through these Jubilee booths, catching their flashy graphics, the cool video loops, the compelling brochures, well, it just thrills us to know of what God is doing in the world and how Jubilee networks so many innovative and fruitful organizations, from think-tanks like Center for Public Justice to savvy, mission sending agencies like World Harvest Mission.

And wonderfully, our friend Walt Mueller (who himself had sat at Jubilee as a young one some 30 years ago), did a keynote speech, and then invited students to commit to adopting a child through Compassion International. The call to do so was honest and sincere (Walt has walked through some of the worst slums in the whole world), not pushy or manipulative. I think over 165 students (or groups of students) signed up to invest in the lives of a third world child. I know that some events that are twice the size yield considerably lower results. Thanks be to God.

(Walt by the way, has a brand new book out—so brand new that I watched him open the box there at the convention center that had been sent that very day . How cool! It didn’t sell well among the collegians because it is called 99 Thoughts for Parents of Teenagers (Group; $5.99.) I suggested they buy it for their parents, but, well, you know… Maybe you know somebody who’d want pretty serious theology and sound insight packaged as quick and easy as it comes. Walt is a serious scholar of youth ministry (his Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture: Bridging Teen Worldviews and Christian Truth (IVP; $18.00) is a must-read in this field!) His CPYU is highly regarded in all corners of the church. He wasn’t so sure he should follow the proposal the publisher gave him for these quickie little sayings because he doesn’t want to give the impression that this is silly or simple stuff. I think it worked out, and we are happy to have it, even if it didn’t sell at Jubilee. Ha.)

WHY DIDN’T SOMEBODY TELL US THIS BEFORE?

Perhaps one of the other moments that took our breath away—in joy and, I’ll admit, and with a touch of frustration—was to hear what a speaker doing a workshop on Christian insight for the technological world and how engineering students might think more faithfully about their vocations reported. He said that several excited students (all engineering majors, natch) exclaimed, “Why hasn’t anyone ever told us this before?” Told us what? I’m not exactly sure, but the workshop leader surely had two major points: all of life is being redeemed by Christ so every legitimate career is a holy calling; one can be an engineer for God’s sake. And, then, it follows that if one wants to be a Christian engineer one must think about the ways in which that field is construed, taught, and understood, and seek God’s wisdom for the norms and principles inherent in his world that hold for good design; this should be our pride and joy, giving God glory by doing good (engineering) work.

Aerospace scholar and workshop leader Ryan O’Dowd was pleased to see a batch of books on engineering in our display, not just those that properly critique the idol of technologism (say, Neil Postman’s Technology, or Jacque Ellul’s The Technological Society, or Langdon Winner’s The Whale and the Reactor) but those that point in a redemptive direction. Civil engineer, humanist Samuel Florman wrote the very nice The Civilized Engineer (St. Martins; $17.99) and the wonderful Existential Pleasures of Engineering (St. Martins; $15.99) and the Calvin College Center for Christian Scholarship years ago did a significant inter-disciplinary study of norms for design called Responsible Technology edited by Stephen Monsma (Eerdmans; $26.00)–a must-read in the field. We stock the serious Christian reflections by Dutch professor of engineering Egbert Schuurman although most U.S. students haven’t seemed to catch a vision for thinking this philosophically about the underpinnings of their practical majors. Former Jubilee speaker Jack Swearengen has a thick, important book Beyond Paradise: Technology and the Kingdom of God (Wipf & Stock; $35.00.) Do you know any engineers who read this kind of stuff? Has your pastor ever suggested they do so? Probably not. In those students lament—why hasn’t anybody ever told us this before?—you hear the whole raison d’ etre of the Jubilee and the CCO’s call to whole-life discipleship in God’s good but fallen world. Why don’t Christian bookstores carry this stuff? Why don’t many Christian colleges, even, not use these sorts of texts? Why don’t church-going engineering professionals seek them out?

It is why each year the conference attracts earnest young students but also eager adult leaders, pastors wanting to brush up on the real role of the laity, and those eager to understand how best to minister to young adults who naturally are in the vanguard of this kind of interest. Not a few church leaders, elders and pastors show up, wanting to learn how to navigate this world that—most likely—their seminary training or elder training didn’t even touch. (Scroll pack to last month’s column to see what one local church is doing to advance this conversation.) The word is getting out: God cares about your work and you have a duty to think about what you do for a living.

Here is another example of this too rare kind of conversation: Mel McGowan is an award
winning designer whose high-end firm, the Visioneering Studio, has done everything from ball stadiums to innovative church design. His blog has done some serious re-thinking about notions of sacred space and the way aesthetics matters for the common good. His book–whose title is a play on the title of a world-famous design book–is called Design Like God Gives a Damn: Revolutionizing Sacred Space. (PlainJo; $15.00.) Well, think what you may of the catchy title, you have to admit it is true. God cares. It matters. This book is visually stunning, sort of a portfolio of his architectural work and altogether interesting. To hear Mel, check out the Q Society Room DVD entitled Where You Live Matters: Developing a Vision for Your City (Zondervan; $29.99) where he, with some other new urbanists, talk about place, architecture and renewal of our built environment. Again, students who are st
udying this stuff at the university level were just dazzled to hear evangelical Christians speaking about ideas and insights that related to their field of study with passion and excellence and care. You should get one of these DVDs and pass it on to somebody you know whose on your local zoning board or housing council or township offices. What a witness that would be, faithful insight applied to the details of place.

I wish you coulda been there to see all the empty cardboard boxes being recycled at the end. We sure did sell a good amount of books.

Many of the keynote speakers had major releases. Q Ideas founder, Gabe Lyon’s Next Christians: The Good News About the End Of Christian America (Doubleday; $19.99) is nearly quintessential as a Jubilee book about young adults rising up to be known as restorers; his opening talk was just fabulous, interesting, helpful, clear. Lisa Sharon Harper’s Evangelical Does Not Equal Republican…or Democrat (New Press; $24.95) has a title that is also perfect for Jubilee. Jubilee promotes thinking beyond the standard assumptions and rejects ideologies that are rooted in assumptions that are inconsistent with the teachings of Scripture. She just rocked the house telling stories of her NY Faith & Justice organizing, and later used her drama background in a performance during worship. Wow. (She is working on a couple of other book projects, too so keep an eye on this woman!)

Soong-Cha Rah is a incredible communicator and a scholar of racial and ethnic diversity that is clearly on par with his older colleagues Philip Jenkins, Lamin Sanneh, or Andrew Wells. The Next Evangelicalism (IVP; $15.00) carries a powerful subtitle which he explicated in a quick-paced and punchy Saturday morning lecture, “Freeing the Church From Western Cultural Captivity.” This project is important for at least two reasons, it seems to me: firstly, if we truly want to understand the Bible on its own terms we ought to try to question our own cultural assumptions that we bring to the text; that is, a multi-cultural or different interpretation may help us correct blind spots and unhelpful biases. Secondly, the world, including the West, is increasingly multi-cultural so we might as well prepare now for the future that is nearly upon us.   Rah’s more recent book, Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church (Moody Press; $14.99) has been used by CCO for their staff training to further resource them in offering leadership in our obviously increasingly diverse college settings. Serious stuff. We are thrilled to sell books like this, so glad to meet brother Rah and hear his important presentation, and be reminded, again, of how this conference has always promoted God’s vision of racial reconciliation and multi-ethnic ministry. I hope your congregation is responding to God’s call to this aspect of our witness, but is preparing for the “many colored” future that is soon upon us. His books would be useful places to start if you want to move forward on this.

One of my favorite main stage speakers was James Emory White. (Check out his website,
Church&Culture.) He brought home–with the always workable story of Esther–the call to be agents of change, to be used by God, to live into the destiny that God may have, “in a time such as this.” He was a forceful communicator, really compelling, no-nonsense and very, very interesting. Whether it was reporting from a recent trip to Egypt (and his insights about revolutions) or his teaching from his great book on change agents in history called Serious Times: Making Your Life Matter in an Urgent Day (IVP; $15.00), he brought remarkable challenge and upbeat inspiration for those wanting to make a difference. I have not finished but can fully recommend his latest, Christ Among the Dragons: Finding Our Way Through Cultural Challenges (IVP; $17.00) which is exactly the careful sort of study we need that is insightful but not dry, critical but not negative, culturally-engaged but Biblically orthodox. And I was sincere when I told him back stage, and announced to the crowd in my book plug, that sometimes I have pulled out A Mind for God (IVP; $13.00) and re-read a few chapters that hold up the significance of reading, just to remind me of why we got into this book-selling business in the first place. I love that little book! If you read my reviews with any regularity (or attend Jubilee) then I hope you would to! Give it a try!

Not all of my readers are used to what used to be called in some circles “altar calls” and I’m sure some have been turned off by manipulative and pushy preachers insisting that listeners come forward to get born again. Of course the abuses are commonplace in the popular imagination, but when the invitation to consider the claims of Christ, to repent of one’s own sin, to accept the grace offered by a justifying God who offers grace, and to do that in the context of a world-changing call to seek justice and be restorers of the common good, well, it brings tears to my eyes. White is a good preacher and I pray his final call bears fruit for the Kingdom. Ahhh, I wish you coulda been there. Guys like this make me happy to remain a card-carrying evangelical.

Sunday morning featured two more main stage authors. I’ve already mentioned Goff. Many of you know him from the “Meeting Bob” chapter in Donald Miller’s Million Miles in a Thousand Days memoir (which, by the way, just released in paperback this week, now selling for $14.95) or have seen his presentation from last year’s 2010 Jubilee which is able to be watched at jubilee tv. We have just a few of his book Finding Karishma: Modern-Day Slavery and the New Abolition Movement (Pascoe Publishing; $17.95.) The back cover notes that Bob has a passion for “unconventional, entrepreneurial activities.” Oh yeah, I’d say so. In Finding… he chronicles not only the founding of his organization Restore International, but tells of the risky effort of busting a brothel in India, how a young kidnapped and enslaved girl named Karishma didn’t get set free (when the complicit police tipped off the brothel owners) and how they subsequently traipsed through every village in that part of India trying to find her. The story is eye-opening and riveting—how many guys who write religious books have been bloodied when hit with rocks by third world pimps?— audacious and full of great hope that a small group of people can make a big difference. The way Goff wove together the goofy stories and joyful shenanigans was great fun—like the time he told us about when he had a Minister of Justice from an African nation visit him, took the dignitary to Disneyland and tricked him into thinking he had to wear the Mickey Mouse cap with mouse ears all day “because it was his first time there” (he had a slide
of the dignified chap in Mickey ears to prove it!) But then he starts talking about global justice and the reforms his team has made in Ugandan justice systems and the schools he’s started—-(think of the scene in Million Miles when Goff invites Miller to plant a ceremonial tree, there)— and how he uses his legal training for important things, well, its almost a perfect kind of talk.

And then there was the brilliance of Bush-era White House speech writer, now WashPo columnist and PBS pundit, Michael Gerson, offering what was perhaps the most brilliant speech of the weekend, a thorough-going challenge to excellence and Biblical faithfulness and cultural engagement. This guy knows his political theory, is informed by Kuyper and the neo-Calvinist worldview stuff that so animates the founders of the conference, and has served, well, in one of the most important spots on the planet. Can anybody say Daniel? You may know Mr. Gerson’s important books Heroic Conservatism: Why Republicans Need to Embrace America’s Ideals (HarperOne; $15.95) (by which he means, among other things, a decent sort of populism, rejecting the crass ideologies of neo-conservativism, and deepening a concern for the poor) and the recent (co-authored) City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era (Moody; $19.99) with a helpful forward by Timothy Keller. I don’t know if these students quite realized that they were taking in the rare opportunity of listening to a speech by someone who has help draft some of the most significant speeches of our lifetime, but it was pretty great. No matter what your political or theological leanings, Sunday morning was extraordinary. And I haven’t even mentioned the important liturgical aspects of the gathered assembly, or the amazing worship led by the Bi-Frost Worship Arts team and Pittsburgh’s own Josh Moyer and friends. Joy Ike & Peace Ike even joined on stage! I really truly wish you could have been there.

* * *

NOT JUST THE MAIN STAGE STARS

Yet, the books that sold the absolute best at Jubilee 2011 were not main stage keynoters, they were guys that spoke to smaller crowds in packed side rooms, with students spilling out into the hallways. This is fascinating to me and Beth and we were glad that each of these speakers were friends; it is embarrassing to run out of books, and we ran out of three.

Eric Metaxas did a workshop on using his apologetic books Everything You Always Wanted to Know about God (Waterbrook; $18.99) and Everything Else You Always Wanted to Know About God (Waterbrook; $14.99), and a third, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God: Jesus Edition (Regal; $19.99) which are witty and smart and balanced and helpful and serious, mostly. What else would you expect from a guy who organizes philosophy and current affairs lectures in Manhattan (under the name Socrates in the City) and also has been a writer for Veggie Tales? He’s a good writer and care about important things. For several years now we have promoted his Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery (Harper; $13.95) which is a fabulous companion biography to the movie about William Wilberforce and his campaign to end slavery in England. If you haven’t read it, it is a great read, putting you into the campaign like no other book.

But Metaxas’ Bohoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy (Nelson; $29.95) took a prize, for sure. I’m not sure what kind of a prize, but it it a bit fat book, selling for nearly $30 and we sold a good, hefty, batch of them. Not as many as some other books, say, but for the size and price, the commitment to reading and further study, the number of pages they were actually buying—and the excitement among older and younger students as they heard him speak—was remarkable. He served folks well as he visited and signed books, likable and humble and astute. I knew we were right when we named it an H&M Book of the Year.

I have not reviewed here adequately a book that we were very impressed with this past year, and I am so glad the author did a Jubilee workshop. In fact, I did a very careful read of it before publication and was asked to contribute a blurb—most of the other endorsers were famed neuroscientists or medical scholars or big-wig theologians. I guess they needed the “everyman” voice of a small town guy like me. Well, I was happy to offer a rave review because I truly believed in this book. If you’ve been in the store anytime this fall you probably saw it: Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships. This great resource is penned by Curt Thompson, M.D. (SaltRiver; $14.99.) Thompson is a psychiatrist and Christian leader in the DC area. He and his family have been faithful at an inter-racial, urban church and we have known of his work for years; he attended Jubilee decades ago in fact! That this book came out—drawing on his distinctively Christian perspective on brain studies, psychiatry, and how that can help us in ordinary living–has been a God-send to many. That students flocked to his workshop and gave it huge thumbs up is telling.

Curt himself suggested that neurology is hot right now. Faith and science question loom large. And the trend to be interested in spirituality is deepening. To think about formation in light of how God wired the brain to work, and to apply that to ordinary stuff like relationships and growth, maturity and Christ-likeness is a useful combo. For whatever reason, this was a hugely popular workshop, a much-discussed book, and we have gotten more in stock. Whether you are seriously interested in psychology, counseling, brain studies and helping others or if you are an ordinary person just needing some new insights about solving your own life issues, Anatomy of the Soul could be helpful, and will surely be an interesting, absorbing read.   It sure was a big hit in Pittsburgh!

Another workshop leader at Jubilee whose books were a bit hit was Jeffrey Overstreet. He did a workshop on film criticism and his book Through a Screen Darkly: Looking Closer at Beauty, Truth and Evil in Movies (Regal; $17.99) nearly sold out. It’s a good one, too
, and we’ve enjoyed recommending it. He will be at the IAM Encounter 2011 arts event in NYC next week so we ordered more of his book right away!â€¨â€¨ Also popular was his workshop on why reading stories is good, how fiction works, especially the epic sort of fantasy that he writes. Students who like well written fantasy novels snatched up Aurialia’s Colors, Ravens Ladder and Cyndere’s Midnight (Waterbrook; $13.99 each.) We even took a few pre-orders for the forthcoming next one in the series, The Ale Boy’s Feast which officially releases in early April. Most people that read the first are hooked and are eager to learn how the epic plot unfolds…

What an upbeat and kind guy he was, too. It is good to connect to authors, to hear about their writing and hopes and artistic vision and, of course, to be reminded of this natural connection between writer and bookseller and reader. Thanks to Jeffrey for his good work, kind spirit, the encouragement he offered to young readers and aspiring writers, and for befriending this stressed out bookseller amidst the craziness of such a large gathering.

Kent Annan of Haiti Partners was very moving as he walked students through his two books, one that came out a year ago (just before the horrific earthquake in Haiti) Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle: Living Fully, Loving Dangerously (IVP; $16.00) and the brand new one—honest, raw, powerful, poetic, courageous—After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World is Shaken (IVP; $15.00.) Those that met him and his Haitian friend were very, very moved; honored. What a good man.

The few CCO staff whose job it is to curate and orchestra and execute this huge gig deserve more credit than most can ever realize. I get to see some of the behind the scenes stuff—I’m nosy, for starters, but our large role there necessitates interfacing with sound guys and schedule keepers and stage hands, not to mention most of the key speakers. I can’t tell you how complicated it all is and how these few manage it. We’re tickled to be a part of it year after year, selling books about this same theme: God cares about all of life, Christ’s redemption is broad in scope, and we need to think faithfully as we serve the culture God has placed us in, making a difference in big and little ways. Students, especially, get to think about this as they ponder their life’s callings in the university classroom.

MELLEBY SAYS “MAKE COLLEGE COUNT”

This is why we did a special shout out and celebration for the brand new Derek Melleby
book—inspired in no small part by the Jubilee conference itself—Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life + Learning (Baker; $12.99.) Derek did a workshop for first year students, and in a side-bar event nearby, for nearly 150 high school seniors. This little book is a pre-Jubilee primer, the best resource of its kind to get high school kids thinking about these great questions that will frame their college years. You’ll hear be promote it as the graduation gift-giving season approaches this spring. In a way, I’m sure this year’s Jubilee felt like a real celebration for Melleby and his closest friends and family. He mentions Jubilee in his book, so it was fun to do a quick hat tip. Yay.

* * *

Not every great conference has great authors. But it is our experience that the buzz of the book display, the fame of the authors, the quality of conversation around speakers who are passionate and writers who who care enough about a topic to write a whole book on it creates, most often, a vibrant and robust setting for serious transformation, for big ideas, for on-going commitments to read and learn and grow. A cynic might say that it is obvious why we think this, as it is all about the money for us. (Yes, at least one blog–written by a person who does not know us at all–suggested as much.)

Think what you will, but we know in our hearts that it is our great joy to watch folks buy good books, to anticipate the growth and learning that will take place, and to hunger for God’s glory to be known as His people do good works. From engineering to the arts, from political theory to fighting slavery, from writing fantasy to thinking about math, from reforming our food habits to reforming our engagement of popular entertainment, there is much good to be learned. There is much to be done. Jubilee is about God’s claim in Christ over all of life and Christ’s gospel of grace so transforming college students that they, empowered by the Spirit, involves themselves in local congregations and attempt to transform the world. I wish you coulda been there.

See lots of great pictures of Jubilee 2011 here. Thanks to Andrew Rush.

As we unpacked the rented truck in the snow when we got home Monday night, a friend and local customer offered to help. It was a great blessing. Now I’m sick, we’ve got boxes everywhere, and we are off to two other smaller events before regrouping and heading to IAM Encounter in NYC next week. Pray for us if you can. Thanks for caring.

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Posted in Reviews

Reflections on a local Summit: Your Work Matters to God

Posted on February 7, 2011 by Byron Borger

Thanks to those who read my face book plea a few days ago to pray for our staff, our families, and the conversation we were hosting on Friday with Steve Garber, author of Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief and Behavior (IVP; $16.00.) (See my hefty review of it here.) It means a lot that so many folks—including those who order books from us on line, even though we’ve never met—support our ministry, and call upon God to bless and sustain us. There is some pain and hardship on this end—where isn’t there?—and we are glad that friends care. We are blessed.

The Garber event hosted at Living Word Community Church was fabulous. Steve is a dear, kind friend, and it was an honor to chat him up, as the Brits might say, in front of a crowd of more than 100. He is rich in his vocabulary, honest and profound, and although I tried to insert a bit of goofy upbeat energy, his intense and deeply meaningful conversational style carried the day. The mood in the Living Word coffee bar wasn’t somber, really (indeed, Steve talked a bit about his adolescent view of girls, joked about being a California boy who still isn’t fond of the cold Pennsylvania weather, and the significance of hope, informed by a Stanley Hauerwas article he uses with students sometimes.) But there was remarkable intensity in the room as people leaned forward to catch every word. We did struggle with important, weighty matters; he is a man of passionate energy, but gentle and soft-spoken. He told stories of having conversations about Africa with folks as different as rock star Bono, a republican leader in DC with whom he is friends, and Gary Haugen, who Steve had encouraged as he was starting the International Justice Mission (IJM) which pioneered the struggle against sexual trafficking; he has traveled to Africa with Jars of Clay promoting their Blood:Water Mission (he’s on their board) and has a son who is a veterinarian who studied disease control in India. Whew. The mood grew lighter, but no less insightful, when he talked about his own story—dropping out of college in the early 70s to live with other Christians in a Bay area commune and then going to L’Abri to meet Francis and Edith Schaeffer, learning to “not leave your brains at the box office” by attending cinema with the late Donald Drew, or moving to Pittsburgh to work for the CCO, mentoring young law or medical students in thinking about “the truest truths of the universe.” For a few years he helped organize our beloved Jubilee conference; there were some Jubilee-bound students there, in fact!

One of the themes that emerges from nearly every page of Fabric of Faithfulness is the question of what it means to be a responsible human being, especially once we know things. From the ethical implications of “knowing” in a Biblically-informed (Hebrew) way–-yada, means to know and to care for and to be responsible for—through the media criticism of Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death, through recent critiques of the info-glut culture of the internet, lamented by significant books like Nicholas Carr’s The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains—which may actually keep us from knowing and doing as we should— Steve invited us to think with our heads and our hearts, to feel deeply this truth that we are implicated in the brokenness of the world. The telling of the Good Samaritan story (as an answer to a lawyer who wondered about who we must love) could be, as he sometimes says, quoting novelist Walker Percy, the story of the guy who “got all A’s but flunked Life.” We can be smart and successful and so well informed, but not do anything about it all. What good is that? How human is that?

He didn’t set up a video screen, but he described the power of the song “Numb” written by The Edge and Bono, recorded on the U2 album Zooropa. (Don’t feel, don’t touch, don’t think, don’t connect…I feel numb!) There were some serious U2 fans in the crowd, sipping Seattle’s Finest roast, and this was a nice touch. We had some fun doing analysis of popular culture, and he shared a few key Bible insights. He told us about his longing for better answers about the meaning of our caring (or not caring, as the case may be) and what lead him to write this book about long-haul, responsible discipleship. I know a lot of folks enjoyed hearing a thoughtful author talk about his life, and how it shaped his book. Who knew it would go from the San Joaquin Valley to Helmhotlz Switzerland, from the Greek Stoics to contemporary Seinfeld. Yada, yada, yada, you know?

It was especially moving for us when he told about a moment he said he’d never forget, an evening when he was invited to listen to and talk about the gospel with, a private gathering of Tiananmen Square protest survivors, some who, in fact, where the actual ring-leaders of that historic uprising and massacre. He could not be glib–he does not believe in “cheap answers” he said—as he carefully listened to these young leaders who love China, and wondered if Christianity might provide them with a full-body vision of life, if it would be true enough, to answer the deepest questions for their heroic lives and their changing culture. He was speaking to the best and the brightest of the Asian world’s emerging culture, young leaders who saw their childhood friends die in their arms, perhaps the “Chinese Vaclav Havels” as the State Department China expert put it to him. What would you say?

And we smiled as he answered a good question (what are some of the best things anybody said to you, what conversations were the most memorable or formative?) He told how his father wrote a letter blessing him when he chose to drop out of college; as a serious Christian and scientist in the early 70s this must not have been easy for him to do, and Steve is even now grateful for that blessed encouragement. And he told how his future mother-in-law affirmed him when he and Meg announced they were to be wed. He may be a bit of a romantic, but this is more than romantic sweetness—he knows that it is the deepest truth of the gospel that we can be known (in our clay-footedness) and still be accepted. This grace shown to him by family is symbolic, for him, it seems, of the very grace of our merciful God, who knows us and loves us still. And who commissions us to know the world ever more deeply, and love it, as God does. Good stuff, this lovely episode from his courtship of Meg to a gospel centered life, to a passion for common grace for the common good in a world of war and sadness.

Well, the event was a good one, and we were glad to host an important writer, whose good words emerge from his good work, hosting conversations, networking artists and business folk, writing and speaking about the integration of vocation and the missio
n of God, the need to live fully for God in meaningful ways our secularized culture might understand. People stayed and asked good questions, hugged one another, browsed important books under the subdued lighting. It was a rich feast, an important and moving evening. Steve writes on occasion for Comment, so you can find some archived essays there if you’d like. And be sure to visit his own organization’s site, The Washington Institute on Faith, Vocation and Culture.

These questions about human responsibility to care was the thrust of his keynote addresses the next day as over 300 people gather at the LWCC Summit on Vocation: Your Work Matters to God. He suggested that a wise and faithful work world ministry is all about translating the truest things about the human condition and the nature of the world into concrete and incarnational practices that can help our neighbors and culture flourish. (It should come as no surprise, then, that he read Jeremiah 29, instructions for Daniel and the other exiles to “seek the peace of the city” where they find themselves.) We live in a needy world, and few have gotten this matter of work and economics and justice and jobs very well figured out. (Charles Dickens and Karl Marx lived in the same part of London in the same years, Steve noted, asking important questions about the meaning of the industrializing forces of the West, at the same time Pittsburghers were killing each other in the streets over labor uprisings and large factories and mills abusing their workers.) No, there are no easy answers or simple formulas for a wholistic and historically relevant kind of lifestyle or work life here within late-model capitalism. I’m not sure most of us who want to serve God day by day think about the big picture that much, so Garber was very helpful on this score. Yet, this isn’t abstraction (as he often said.) This is the full, down-to-Earth weight of our living in God’s world, with it’s needs and tragedies and joys and pleasures. He even told the story of his friend Hans Hess who has a top-shelf, organic-type, fair-trade, eco-friendly burger chain, Elevation Burger (yes, named after the U2 song.) The tag line is “Ingredients Matter.”

Comment magazine’s quarterly hard copy (they do a free weekly on line edition) had a great interview with Hans, by the way (“Jesus, Burgers & Taxi-Cabs”) in their last issue. We have a few that we sell for just $5.00. See it here and then let us know if you want one.

Again, despite these rather intense observations in Steve’s talks, and some passionately told stories, it was an upbeat day of thinking and learning and celebrating our call to leadership and service in our work. I got to introduce Steve, had the pleasure of touting his book, and I later led a workshop as did other folks who did seminars on thoughtful Christian engagement of the worlds of education, medicine, management, banking, and the like. There was a panel about women in the work-world, one workshop was on ethics, another on how to do evangelism in the workplace. Yet another popular one was on discerning one’s vocation and choosing a new career area. a lot of books. I believe the audio recordings of Steve’s two plenary talks will be available from LWCC and we will be glad to try to acquire them if you are seriously interested.

In a way, this event thrilled me as much as anything we have done for a while; to bring our friend Steve to a local church, to have that church so affirming and gracious in allowing he and I to have a public conversation, and then to help lead an entire event the next day, is a privilege. Equipping folks for thinking about Godly ways within their careers and callings has long been a passion of ours and I would love to have chances to talk further about being in the business world, say, or to help social workers or educators or blue collar employees. I am touched that some of my friends wanted to be a part of this kind of rare conversation and that LWCC pulled it off as they always do, with excellence and grace.

Much of all of this call to think Christianly about calling and career can be summarized, albeit a bit briefly, in a wonderful booklet we featured at the LWCC Summit, What Is Vocation? by Steven J. Nichols (P&R) $3.99. I loved promoting it at LWCC and hope you, too, might want to know about it.

This little booklet is just fantastic to explore a Christian view of calling, vocation, work and career. It is simply a great read, a fine tool, and a useful way to invite people of faith to consider how their ordinary jobs may reflect God’s deepest care for the world. You may know of my fondness for The Call: Finding and Fulfilling The Central Purpose of Your Life by Os Guinness (Nelson; $17.99.) The short Steve Nichols booklet would appeal to any who like that, or it might be good for anyone who thought that the Guinness book to be a bit too literary or long. Nichols spends more time on simple teaching about work, serving God in your job, and learning to have an appropriate vision for and attitude about the old 9-to-5, so it is a bit more focused on employment than Guinness on the notion of calling. We really, really recommend it. (Plus, it is so important to, well, almost everybody, that you could easily share it with someone you know–who knows, maybe to start off a conversation at your own workplace. At this price, why not buy a batch?)

In my own workshop on work I noted four things that are described in a John Piper book called Don’t Waste Your Life (Crossway; $9.99) in the chapter called “Making Much of God in the 8 to 5.” Rev. Piper wonders–helpfully, as it ends up—how human work is different than, say, the work of a hummingbird or beaver. Beavers build dams and such, but somehow our work is different; we are made in God’s image and called to reflect His stewardly rule over the creation. We have freedom to work in certain ways. How is our work unique? â€¨â€¨Piper mentions four things; I will paraphrase them here.

1. We self-consciously dedicate our work to God. Like Genesis 1:26-28 suggests, and Romans 12:1 states, and Paul implores, our work is to be done to God’s glory; it is worship. I don’t think beavers intentionally do their building for God (unless they are Narnians, of course.) Like his hero Jonathan Edwards, Piper says we can do so, and we must.

2. We are called to live our lives in service to our neighbor. That is, Piper says, we must do our work as an act of love. With a bit of thinking, we can see the place nearly any job plays in that great web of social inter-dependence, and it seems to me that if you see the bigger picture of your supply chain or place in culture, you can see that what you do matters to somebody; your product or service, somehow, makes the world a better place. If not, maybe you should find another job. Anyway, Piper says we do our work in service, motivated by love.

3. While not everyone has the luxury of this, it is unique to our human condition to be able to be self-reflective about our skills and aptitudes, our gifts and abilities. We can wonder how we’re wired, and do work that brings some measure of satisfaction. We can be useful. Piper doesn’t g
o into this quite like, say, the great book by Max Lucado called The Cure for the Common Life or Randy Singer’s Made to Count but he does affirm that we should find a place of employment, to the extent that we are able, that is a good fit for who God has made us to be. We work using the gifts God has given us.

4. The fourth is very intriguing to me, and is brief, but clear in the Piper chapter. Basically he notes that we are called to use our minds, determining the normative nature of any given job or task, and we then can use our God-given abilities to open up the possibilities of that sphere of creation in a way that is appropriate. That is, we do our job the right way, in harmony with the very structures of creation. We are called to wise reflection on normativity, and to submit to something like natural laws or creational ordinances. At the very least, this suggests a commitment to excellence, to mastering the habits, practices and skills of your given craft. We have to learn the ropes and do good work the right way.

I promoted other good books that would serve well as an introduction to this topic such as the standard Your Work Matters to God by Douglas Sherman and William D Hendricks (NavPress; $16.99) and Mastering Monday: A Guide to Integrating Faith and Work by John Bennett (IVP; $18.00) or the handsome study guide for personal devotional use or small group What Do I Do With My Life: Serving God Through Work by Kenneth Baker (Faith Alive Resources; $9.99.)

One of the foundational books on this topic, a serious and good collection I’ve mentioned here before is The Others Six Days Vocation, Work, and Ministry in the Bible (Eerdmans; $27.00) by R. Paul Stevens (who is a professor of marketplace theology at Regent College in Vancouver.) Read anything this good thinker writes! Leaders who are hoping to raise these concerns (pastors, preachers, campus ministers?) really should know this stuff and we recommend that as a key text. Professor Stevens has a new one that we commented on right before Christmas—what a wise and interesting work, Taking Your Soul To Work: Overcoming the Nine Deadly Sins of the Workplace (Eerdmans; $14.99.) This isn’t a cutesy title about “deadly sins of the effective worker,” meaning not dressing for success or something like that, but is a true study of the historic seven deadlies, plus two more, and ends up being a remarkable reflection on the sort of self-aware, gospel-based formation we need if we are going to do this “Christian perspective on the work world” stuff in long-term, sustainable ways.

As Eugene Peterson writes in his brilliant forward, noting that God works (creating the world) on the very first page of Scripture, and most of Jesus’ stories are set in fields and fishing boats, “Once we identify God in his workplace working, it isn’t long before we find ourselves in our workplaces working in the name of God….this is a major work for restoring dignity to the laity and infusing vigorous health into the Christian community.”

I told a number of folks about a book we had displayed, Shop Class as Soul Craft: An
Inquiry into the Value of Work by Matthew Crawford (Penguin;$15.00) You may recall us raving about it when it first came out in hardback—it is about a thoughtful white collar scholar who is drained by the abstractions and confusing ethics of the think-tank world so he dropped out and started a stellar motorcycle repair shop. This is an eloquent, and much discussed book, about why we seem to devalue craft and mechanical skills; how will we survive the so-called “information age” if we fail to pass on the skills and dispositions needed to, well, fix stuff? How can work have greater meaning in an age when working with one’s hands is nearly despised. Great stuff, a bit literate for many blue collar guys who would tend to agree with it, and yet we commend it with hopes folks will work their way through it’s elegant, thoughtful prose and important, weighty arguments.

And we announced that we were fond of the very creative, deeply faithful (but not written with religious sounding lingo) Sequencing: Deciphering Your Company’s DNA Decipher by Mike Meztger (Game Changer Books; $17.95.) It is ideal for anyone in business or the corporate world, or for anyone wonder how to help their company tell a better story, framing their work by the biggest questions and themes. You can get a flavor of his insight and writing style at the Clapham Institute’s DoggieHeadTilt blog.

And, I told them about those who reflect on all kinds of jobs and work-world matters at The High Calling blog. In fact, I quoted their recent piece “Your Artisanal Life” which was pretty nice. That’s a place you should check out daily!

In the workshop, we brainstormed a bit about songs and movies and jokes and saying that tend to impose a negative view of work upon us, and struggled to consider how to be faithful in corporations that do not treat us well. We wondered how we can be agents of God’s rule, even among supervisors, co-workers, clients and customers who may not have an idealistic vision of the exalted purpose of our work. It was important stuff for church folks to be talking about.

This great LWCC gathering—stretching and thoughtful and serious—feels now like a bit of a prelude to the bigger and splashier event with 2500 college students in Pittsburgh on Feb 28-20, the CCOs JUBILEE 2011 (not to mention the excellent Jubilee Professional day, held also at the Pittsburgh Convention Center all day on Friday, February 28th, co-sponsored by Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation, an event collaborating with the student event, but designed for adults in the workworld.)

Check out that Jubilee conference link for archives of some of their old presentations—they have a cool feature called Jubilee TV which hosts video archives of some of the keynote speakers of the recent past.

If the local LWCC Summit event was more tender and important to me because it was among my best friends and neighbors here, the CCO Jubilee event is great because, well, it is about the best large conference in the whole world, and we’ve been attending since the mid-1970s, and it is run by a few of our very best young friends who are doing truly exceptional work. It is the largest thing we do and if you follow o
r pray for our bookstore ministry much, you already know of our yearly role there. There are Jubilee students for all kinds of college students, workshops on science and art, business and engineering, mathematics and theater, writing poetry and writing memoir, film and politics, creation care and soul care. It is energetic and fun, multi-ethnic and ecumenical. There are solid missions groups like IJM and Compassion International and World Harvest Mission there, and groups which network culture leaders around issues of worldview, cultural reformation and engaging the Christian mind—including web-based communities like catapult and the Canadian think-tank Cardus. That is going to be an amazing gig. If you know any college students anywhere in the mid-Atlantic, at least, it isn’t too late to get them to go. The younger generations of visionary evangelicals are energetic and thoughtful, and it seems to me that Garber and I worked out a lot of the vision for the very stuff we now talk about, the things about vocation and culture and caring about justice and nurturing the Christian mind in glory to the risen Christ, as we did at LWCC’s Summit this weekend, when we were their age, trying to make sense of a lackluster and disengaged evangelicalism of the post-Jesus movement years. Jubilee has been a signpost towards God’s Kingdom for Steve and Meg and Beth and me, as it has been for many…

Gabe Lyon gets at this wonderfully when he writes about what he calls The Next Christians: How a New Generation is Restoring the Faith (Doubleday; $19.99) I was happy to be among the first booksellers to review this book last fall and we called it one of the books of the year in our “Best of 2010” list last week. I really like how we explains and holds up this wholistic vision of those who have little interest in culture wars or defending a Christian America, but only want to follow in the way of their savior, the true King Jesus, as they serve Him with grace in all areas of life. In many ways, this approach–based on the four-chapter story of the gospel of creation/fall/redemption/consumation is the very ethos of the Jubilee event!

Gabe writes that these “next Christians” see themselves as called into vocations, not merely employed at occupations. They see themselves more as creators of culture than moralistic critics. They are less interested in pronouncing judgment about social evils, but are eager to help solve problems, in God’s ways. In all of this and more they want to be agents of God’s restoration. His Next Christians book and/or the new DVD is a perfect companion and follow-up, it seems to me, of the LWCC Summit and really resonates with the overall message offered by Garber at our time together last weekend. Lyon, in fact, is one of the many rising young evangelical leaders who esteems Garber and values his writings and work.

â€¨â€¨And (as things come full circle) Mr. Lyons is speaking in two weeks at Jubilee 2011. He’s one of several major main-stage speakers. Jubilee is a conference about nurturing young restorers. Garber will be there, too. What a month!â€¨â€¨

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Posted in Reviews

BEST BOOKS OF 2010

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Byron Borger

Allow me to be candid. This best of the year thing is tricky. I want
you to enjoy my celebrations and accolades, so the column is hopefully
somewhat amusing and informative. I do want to be sincere, naming books
that truly deserve honorable mention and that we deem to be important
for our audience. Late as I am, I know what other lists have touted and
I’m tempted to just mimic those who are smarter than I. Yet, I usually
offer awards for books that we have carried and that I have read, not
necessarily the best the world has to offer, but the best we’ve been
pleased to review and sell. So, for instance, I know that Freedom
by Jonathan Franzen is one of the best novels of the year—my wife
couldn’t put it down—but I haven’t gotten to it yet. (I did love the
weird and wondrous The Corrections.) So I can’t really list his
new one, since I haven’t read it, even though I sort of feel like I
should; lots of people I respect have said so and I think serious folks
might think ill of us if we ignore it. Add to my quandary that we are
not primarily a book review journal but a bookstore, and we want to
convince at least a few folks out there to buy a couple of these, so we
have a view to what you, dear reader, friend and followers of the Hearts
& Minds tribe, will find stimulating. Which is just a long way of
saying I don’t quite know what I’m doing, and offer these with the
proverbial grain of salt, and occasional tongue in cheek. So, without
further ado, let the salty cheekiness begin.

BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

Okay,
we ain’t the Academy Awards here, so I won’t make you wait for the
final five minutes of a drawn-out show to get to the biggee. Let’s get
this out of the way. I’ve pondered. I’ve prayed. I’ve read and
re-read. It’s a tough call, especially given, well, the toughness of
the call. So I’m taking the cheap way out. I’m announcing an
unprecedented four-way tie.

Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson) $29.99 I’ve been taken by this book since
before it got published; the author’s first publisher dismissed it as
too lengthy. The usually sane and amiable Metaxas held his ground, a
new publisher was found, and it was released in all its verbose glory. I
think I’d take maybe two sentences out, but this is a hugely important,
remarkably interesting, exceptionally inspiring work. It deserves
awards for making an important contribution to the complex field of
Bonhoeffer studies (reframing the Lutheran martyr as a solid and
orthodox Trinitarian evangelical as opposed to the Christ-less
universalists some gatekeepers in the Bonhoeffer study guild have
claimed.) And, he has brought the history of the theological and
spiritually-based resistance of Nazism to the forefront of especially
the evangelical community, who have promoted this book significantly.
At the end of the broadest evaluation of this books insights and
historical value and important impact, it must be said, though, that it
is a rip-roaring good read, told well, in accessible, clear prose.
Truly one of the best religious books of recent years, and one of the
most valuable of 2010.

The Spirit of Food: 34 Writers on Feasting and Fasting Towards God
Leslie Leyland Fields (Wipf & Stock) $30.00 I wasn’t kidding when I
said in my previous review of this that there are a few chapters in
here that are amongst the finest prose I have read, ever. I have read
and read again Denise Frame Harlan’s fine memoiristic reflection, asking
if I like it so only because I know here,and know some of the people
she writes about. (Yes, it was political thinker Jim Skillen who cried
while reading the passage in Robert Farrar Capon’s Supper of the Lamb
that so effected Ms Harlan. Yes, he was doing a staff training time for
the CCO.) I admit to my bias, but her writing and her story is simply
stunning, as are many others.   It is my conviction that Ms Fields has
pulled together some of the finest contemporary writers who are justly
famous for the notable skills at wordsmithing—like the aforementioned
Capon, Wendell Berry, Lauren Winner or Alexander Schmemman—and newer,
perhaps up-coming authors, chefs, theologians, novelists, activists. Ms
Fields own lovely piece about farm life (that has been published at
TheHighCallings blog) is itself a wonder, a true wonder. Not only is
this varied writing consistently high quality, the insight and
perspective is sometimes nothing short of brilliant. And the topic is
spot on, with the recent interests in the spirituality of the ordinary,
concerns about nutrition, food justice, and the daily rituals of
preparing and eating God’s good gifts of food. And did I mention there
are recipes?   I don’t care for the cover, and it is a shame that a
paperback is priced as it is, but this should not stop you from owning
this tremendous, wondrous, anthology. You can read it again and again,
share pieces, use it to remind you of the goodness of God’s world, the
ways in which we can see life anew, and how to more closely pay
attention to the stuff that matters most. And it may remind you, too, to
pick up a copy of Supper of the Lamb, which would surely please the authors herein. I gently tap my silver against my goblet: cheers to one and all.

To Change the World: The Irony Tragedy, & Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World
James Davison Hunter (Oxford University Press) $27.95 If you’ve been
paying attention this summer, you may know that this sophisticated book
was discussed, loved and loathed, evaluated and debated in journals,
blogs, conferences and confabs and in many venues, reviewed in some of
the circles we most respect. In a notably gracious move, Andy Crouch,
who is dissed by Hunter in the book, reviewed it pretty favorably in Christianity Today.
Editors there then asked him to take off the gloves, and say what he
thought about Hunter’s critique of his Culture Making project. They
invited Charles Colson to likewise respond to Hunter’s criticisms of his
role in the rise of the Christian right. That dialogue–not exactly
unprecedented, but perhaps too rare–hints of the richness of this work
and is an indication that it is being taken seriously. The rave reviews
on the back from Charles Taylor (whose whopping A Secular Age
was a Very Important Work of recent years), Robert Bellah, and Nicholas
Wolterstorff of Yale might impress you. One may or may not fully agree
with Hunter’s interesting critiques of various efforts to transform
culture—he simply dismisses the Christian right, the Christian left,
the cultural engagement efforts of Catalyst and The Q events, not to
mention the neo-Anabaptist feistiness of Hauwerwas and the Radically
Orthodox. You may not buy his arguments about the sociology of how
change happens, the role of elites, ideas, institutions. And I’m still
unsure about the implications of the “faithful presence” approach he
outlines in the final portion. No matter; this is doubtlessly the most
important book of its kind in years, attracting sustained attention and
evoking very important conversations in many important places.   Let us
move away from the politics of resentment and victimization, reform our
capitulation to the spirit and styles of late modern times, and find
fruitful, lasting ways to be effective in our call to be salt and
light. This book will help. Pastors, leaders, writers, and anyone
interested about the public witness of God’s people should grapple with
this astute, serious work.

What Good Is God? In Search of a Faith That Matters
Philip Yancey (FaithWords) $23.99 Line-for-line, Yancey is one of the
most important writers of our day, bar none. I think he is vastly
under-rated, although he is esteemed, in theory. I am not sure folks
have purchased this book in our circles in the way they should have, and
I am honoring it now not just to get sales going again—although I
sincerely pray that this happens—but because I simply cannot get the
sentences and pictures and stories out of my mind. How many authors
carry rave reviews from Billy Graham (he doesn’t blurb anybody else that
I know of) and edgy bohemian, Anne Lamott, who says “I love Yancey’s
work. He is a brilliant, graceful writer.” â€¨â€¨Yes, Yancey is a graceful
writer. He works hard at his craft, and puts together sentences with
an economy and care that few journalists can match. I hope he gets some
huge life-time achievement award some day, because he deserves it.
This book is a spectacular collection of two essays, each set in one of
ten places. He travels to ten hard places and writes about what
difference God makes in those places. This is why he travels, why he
covers the hard stuff, why he writes: to determine if it matters.

Here,
he tells us some of the most unsettling stuff he has ever written
about. From sex workers to campus massacre at Virginia Tech, he enters
as a caring observer, learns the stories from the ground up, and reports
back from the field just what he sees. And what he sees is good news,
good news among the rubble, among the pain, poignant and deep and real.
From China to South Africa, from Mumbai to Memphis, he tells of what
God is doing, without being glib, sensational or overbearing. A few of
these stories are a bit more gripping and raw than others; his story of
his old church in urban Chicago–“a place for misfits”—is upbeat and
inspiring. He visits the Inklings hang-outs at Oxford and makes a very
good case on the true and lasting significance of Lewis, a apostle to
the skeptics. His two chapters on his old legalistic Bible college are
fair and honest and fascinating. Some will criticize him for being
critical; he gets letters from all over the world, though, thanking him
for naming the toxic faith that emerged in those years at those kind of
places. And yet, even here, he is a writer of good grace.

This
is not a random collection of miscellaneous pieces (although if it
were, it would still be award-winning, as a best greatest hits album!)
No, these ten stops along his way, where he tells the “story behind the
story” each contribute another piece to the puzzle, an insight gathered,
another remarkable testimony about his biggest question: does God
matter? Read this for the good writing. Read this to learn about the
amazing grace he finds. Read this to shore up your own doubts and
fears. Give this to others who need to hear the news, first hand
accounts, of a God who is there. Yancey always deserves our gratitude
for being a writer of integrity and class. Here, he has given us a book
that will last, accounts of faith that makes a difference.

BEST BOOKS ABOUT THE ARTS

Again,
a tie. We have a handful that we’ve enjoyed, and we are glad that
Christian publishers do this kind of work. These are the two we want to
list.

For the Beauty of the Church: Casting a Vision for the Arts
Edited by W. David O. Taylor (Baker) $14.99 From the forward by poet
Luci Shaw to the final chapter (“My Hopes and Prayer” by Taylor himself)
this is a truly splendid collection. The pieces are relatively short,
not overly demanding, yet thoughtful and rich and varied. Makoto
Fujimura notes that it is “pragmatic and theologically astute at the
same time” and he is correct. There is foundational, thoughtful, and
inspiring theology and perspective here, and there are practical pieces,
clear-headed proposals and positive suggestions. It is encouraging, if
honest, and a wonderful example of how a wide variety of authors can
contribute to a single, over-arching vision. Unlike, say, our very
favorite anthology of this sort, edited by Ned Bustard, It was Good: Making Art for the Glory of God (Square
Halo Press), this collection is not necessarily by and for artists.
Here we have John Witvliet on worship, Lauren Winner teaching us about
art patronage, Eugene Peterson on the role of the pastor to encourage
artists. (If you are an artist whose pastor does not encourage you,
perhaps you could give this to him or her. Or, read this chapter for
yourself, allowing Peterson to mentor you through his good words.)
Barbara Nicolosi, a fabulous Roman Catholic leader in the film industry
offers an insightful chapter about the inclinations of the artistic
types (and how to shepherd them.) There is a chapter for practitioners
and a wise essay on the dangers of art-making in the local church.
Jeremy Begbie’s last chapter is a call for further scholarship and
practice, offering good hope for the recent renaissance in Christians
working in the arts.

Of course it has long been our position
that artists—-like bankers or teachers or counselors or
engineers—don’t have to do their work in the church, or in service of
the gathered community in worship. Yet, there can be a vibrant
relationship between artists and the local church, and this book has
catapulted that conversation a light year ahead in the right direction.
What a fun array of authors, an excellent array of ideas, a good array
of suggestions. Get this book, give it away, keep the conversation
going.

Saving Leonardo: A Call To Resist the Secular Assault on Mind, Morals, and Meaning
Nancy Pearcy (B&H) $26.99 I have reviewed this a great length at
BookNotes, and I hinted that I am a tiny bit unsure about Ms Pearcy’s
interpretation of some particular cultural artifacts. I’m not even sure
she is fully correct about her sweeping evaluation about the history of
ideas, let alone the way worldviews have crept in to popular mindset
via specific art pieces.   I didn’t say it, but the reactionary
subtitle, and the occasionally alarmist rhetoric gives some balanced
readers pause. (See Alissa Wilkinson’s very fair critique in Comment.)
Yet, despite these concerns, it is a indication of the strength of this
book that despite any controversy it engenders and any weaknesses it
carries, it deserves to be considered one of the best–and most
informative and interesting–books of recent years. Pearcy has done us
all a very great service by again exposing the false dualisms of
contemporary culture, what Francis Schaeffer termed the dichotomy
between the “upper story” and “lower story” or of what philosophers like
Polanyi describe as an unhelpful epistemological split between facts
and values. Sound complicated? That is exactly why we are eager to
honor this book with an award: it navigates complicated streams of
thoughts—most vitally from the Romantic era—in clear and provocative
ways. Whether you have a passing awareness of philosophy or not, or
care about art history much, you simply have to think a bit about the
way ideas of trickled down, from 18th century painters to 20th century
film-makers, to our postmodern 21st century computer games and graphic
novels and TV shows. Love it or argue with it, a good book will teach
you something, make you think, draw you to deep matters that matter, and
allow you to have some pleasure in doing so. From the full color art,
the clear writing, and the provocative thesis, this is a book deserving
of your attention. Kudos to the Baptist publishers Broadman for daring
to publish what some might find arcane. I hope it sells widely and is
discussed seriously.

BEST BOOKS ABOUT POLITICAL-SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Uncommon Decency: Christian Civility in an Uncivil World
Richard Mouw (IVP) $16.00 I have celebrated this book years ago, when
it was out in an earlier version. This re-packaged and slightly
expanded edition is to be more than applauded, it is to be honored—in
the deepest sense of the word. I honor this because it is honorable.
It is fair. It is kind. It is principled.   It is honest. It is fun
and flavorful, interesting and intrepid. It is right and it is
necessary. Please, please, please. Get this book, spread the word,
pass it on. Learn from this wise, cautious, passionate thinker about
being true to one’s convictions, even as one pays attention to public
etiquette and civil discourse. Whether you have concerns about conflict
in your local congregation, ugliness in your community or workplace, or
are weighted down by the harsh impasse we find in our national
discourse, this book can help. Thanks to Mouw for re-thinking this,
thanks to IVP for re-issuing it.

Christian America and the Kingdom of God
Richard Hughes (Illinois University Press) $29.95 This has a 2009
copyright date, but I believe it was released so close to the tail end
of last year that it really is–for all practical purposes (or, at least
for my practical purposes)–a 2010 title. Maybe I’m cheating a little,
but I want to honor this as a stand-out title this year on the curious
question of how American exceptionalism developed and is maintained by
inappropriate confusion about God’s work in the world. This certainly
is a more urgent question now then it was when the good professor
starting writing this a few years ago. There are blurbs here from thee
always thoughtful and prudent Mark Noll, from the esteemed Martin
Marty,and from the late Howard Zinn (perhaps the last book the activist
historian endorsed.) Noll is correct, I think, when he says this is
trenchant; as he says â€¨”Those who think that the United States is
distinctly Christian nation and those who are sure it is not will both
read this book with great profit.” “Few have written on this topic with
as much intelligence and authority as he” says one reviewer. That
deserves a shout out from the Hearts & Minds awards bench. Yay.

Global Warming and the Risen Lord: Christian Discipleship and Climate Change
Jim Ball (Evangelical Environmental Network) $25.00 We are grateful
that in recent years there have been an outpouring of fine, Christian
scholarship—Biblical, theological, and scientific—about creation
care and stewardship of God’s world. Some are very, very good. With
the horrors in the Gulf this year, and the ongoing debates about climate
change (and the publication of Eaarth by Bill McKibben last year) the need for such resources remains stronger than ever. How to pick out one for a special award?

Well, I am happy to announce that GWaRC
deserves honor for several reasons, with layers of merit and
notability. Firstly, it is well written, by a first-class Christian
leader; Rev. Dr. Jim Ball has been at this a long time and we have
admired him for decades in his faithful, progressive leadership among
evangelicals, especially. He is creative, well informed, energetic, and
full of God’s good vision of hope. He has studied this topic for
decades, used to work for the Union of Concerned Scientists, has been
interviewed or listed as a viable leader in places such as Time, Newsweek, ABC’s Good Morning America and even Rolling Stone,
and has testified before the U.S. Senate. And he is always clear about
this faith. (As an aside, mainline denominational publishers have,
true to form, also published serious contributions to the on-going
theological conversation about creation, ethics and sustainability. I
have found them, almost without fail, to be theologically bizarre,
obscure, scholastic, over-priced and largely useless in the serious
struggle to mobilize church folks to become active in efforts at
lifestyle and policy change of our deadly industrial culture. Kudos to
guys like Ball who speak plainly, faithfully, with orthodox doctrine and
vibrant piety.) Global Warming and the Risen Lord has a
handsome design on the inside with some striking b/w photographs and a
couple of other lovely graphic touches. The endorsements from a wide
array of esteemed church and world leaders illustrate the book’s
credibility—from N.T. Wright in England to Gordon MacDonald in New
England, from Sir John Houghton (a former Chair of an Intergovernmental
Scientific Panel) to Larry Schweiger the President and CEO of the
National Wildlife Foundation.

I like the quote from Ron Sider,
who notes that “Jim’s book displays his passion for protecting the poor
and vulnerable and provides a clarion call for Christians to do so by
walking faithfully with the Risen Lord as He leads the way in overcoming
global warming.” And that is yet another beautiful and innovative
contribution to this Biblically-based spirituality of creation-care: it
emphasizes the risen Christ! If Jesus has indeed risen from the dead,
and reigns, then this truth has huge and important implications for the
way in which we work on this issue. Three green cheers for this
important book (and the way Russell Media helped get it printed in an
environmentally sound manner, partnering with “Plant with a Purpose.”)
Local pal, United Methodist clergyman (and former coal industry man)
Mitch Hescox, President of the EEN, has a nice afterward.

BEST BOOKS ABOUT MISSIONS

Living Mission: The Vision and Voices of New Friars
edited by Scott Bessenecker (IVP) $16.00 A few years ago Bessenecker
did a powerful book documenting young missionaries and social activists
who have aligned themselves with the poorest of the poor, from the slums
of Manilla to the refugee camps of Sudan to the barrios of Brazil.
These are relief workers, church planters, wandering servants,
evangelicals shaped by the ethos of Francis, all described in gruesome
glory in a book called The New Friars. In this new one,
Bessenecker invites a number of these thoughtful, engaged, and now
significantly experienced servants of the poor to describe the essential
tenants of their view of mission. From elder, long-term urban
missionaries like Viv Grig to world-travelled folk like Christopher and
Phileena Heuertz (Word Made Flesh), this collection is powerful,
inspiring, challenging, and very important. What a strong bit of hefty
wisdom! What an indication of the emerging tone in missiology.
Spectacular. Thank goodness for folks like this, doing this work. And
thanks for publishers like IVP who have the guts to so gracefully
describe it.

â€¨Friends at the Margins: Discovering Mutuality in Service and Mission
Chris Heuertz and Christine Pohl (IVP) $15.00 This is the fourth in
this absolutely fabulous “Resources for Reconciliation” series, an
on-going set of books coming from the Duke Divinity School Center on
Reconciliation. Each book pairs a scholar with an activist, and brings
us extraordinary insight and powerful stories, designed for good reading
and good conversation. This one is like no other book we know,
seriously linking themes of hospitality to how we become friends with
those whom we serve. Pohl, you may know, nearly “wrote the book” on
hospitality, by writing the book Making Room. Christ Heuertz is one of
the aforementioned New Friars and is as worldly wise about the poorest
of the poor, and what it means to do justice and mercy in these
settings, than anyone writing books today. Together, they have given
us an unprecedented book.

Nearly everyone going on short term
mission trips struggles to avoid patronizing or “helping” others in
demeaning ways, and this small book takes that struggle to a new level,
offering theological resources and fresh ideas for developing attitudes
and practices of authentic mutuality. Anyone who supports missionaries,
anybody who cares about service in the world, and certainly anyone who
who participates in work projects or short-term mission trips really
should get this book. We give it an enthusiastic award, with very deep
appreciation.
â€¨
BEST MEMOIRS

Oh
my, we love this genre. There are several that I have re-read this
year, and I’ve been struck by their influence in my literary tastes.
Still, there are new ones, and it is hard to award just one. Here are a
few we consider our favorites.

I Want to Be Left Behind: Finding Rapture Here on Earth
Brenda Peterson (DeCapo) $25.00 I told everybody about this as I was
reading it as it was one of those wonderfully written and truly
remarkable stories that drew me in and stuck with me for months. The
story is well told, and I grew to love writer (indeed, I’ve now explored
other non-fiction nature writing she has done.) This memoir is, to say
it more simply than it deserves, is about the author growing up in the
70s as the child of a National Parks Service outdoorsman, learning from
her beloved dad more about nature than most of us will ever know. Her
passion of animals and earth and sky soon came to be in conflict with
the Southern Baptist fundamentalism of her rapture-oriented parents.
How they held together the goodness of God’s world and His presence
around us and their conviction that Christ would burn it all up as they
flew to an invisible far-away heaven is beyond me, but they did.
Science, good cooking, animals, an abiding joy in the beauty of
landscape was part of their family values and yet Brenda was severely
scolded for asking if she’d see her dog in heaven.   This story is her
account of her drift from faith, her ongoing theological reflection, her
environmental activism.

Near the end of this aching story she
says she discovers N.T. Wright, whose theology affirms the goodness of
creation and insists that the bodily resurrection of Christ portends the
restoration of the whole cosmos. She wonders if she heard this twenty
years earlier if it would have saved her faith. One wonders. One also
has to wonder why a writer as smart as Peterson couldn’t figure some of
this out on her own; surely there were robust evangelical voices of
peace and justice that she could have discovered. If only…still, for a
beautifully rendered faith journey, and a fantastic window into
conservative religion of late baby boomers, this is one heck of a book.
One of my “can’t put down” awards goes to this, for sure.

The Grace of Silence: A Memoir
Michele Norris (Pantheon) $24.95 A few years ago NPR called our
bookstore, with the calling saying she was calling on behalf of Michele
Norris. Had I heard of her, she wondered. Had I heard of her? Were
they kidding me? Norris had somehow heard of our work in York PA a few
years previous pulling together an ethnically and politically and
religiously diverse group to work for the rights of detained Chinese
immigrants, and wondered if we could help set up some candid
conversations around race in a typical mid-American town. She says in
the preface of this riveting book that the subsequent NPR story (maybe
you heard it) recorded in York got her to thinking about her own
racially complex past. Granted, she is a nationally esteemed
journalist, but the elegant recommendations on the back cover—from
luminaries such as historian Doris Kearns Goodwin, Henry Louis Gates,
Tom Brokaw, Dave Isay of StoryCorps—all speak of this books remarkable
power of a “painful yet triumphant journey of self-discovery” for this
one unique American family.

Pulitzer Prize-winning historian
Goodwin writes that “History at its best is storytelling…in the hands
of a gifted storyteller, a memoir becomes more than a chronicle of the
writer’s life. It becomes the history of a time and place. So it is
with this magnificent memoir—one of the most eloquent, moving, and
insightful memoirs I have ever read.” Given our tiny, tiny, tiny bit of
influence on this, we simply have to give it a large shout out. It
deserves real awards and perhaps it will itself be nominated for
something like the American Book Award or a Pulitzer. For now, she gets
it from us. Kudos!

Wild Comfort: The Solace of Nature
Kathleen Kean Moore (Trumpeter) $15.95 I am sad this splendid, lovely,
smart, nature writer’s other books—among my all time favorites!—are
out of print. I will hope they are reissued. This new one, again,
made me literally tremble at certain pages, and while this seems a bit
more demanding then her other glowing reportage, this is surely one of
the best books of its broad genre. Interestingly, the theme of this is
how being present to the grandeur of nature can, in fact, help us grieve
well. There is not as much direct stuff about grief and loss as one
might expect (although the author shares great sadness in the preface,
explaining the build-up of losses she faced in the run-up to writing
these pieces.) She is, literally, an outdoors-woman and although she is
also a philosophy professor, her specialty is the lived experience of
being with nature. Scott Russell Sanders says, as I cited when I first
reviewed this, “This book itself is such a consoling creation a cause
for gratitude and joy.” I agree.

Lit: A Memoir Mary Karr (Harper) $14.99 Can we just out and out cheat here? Call it the best 2010 memoir in paperback or something: it came out last year, and Beth and I both oddly waited until this year to devour it. Her previous two—Liars Club and Cherry–are
considered among the finest of 20th century memoir and were books that
showed us how to tell a hard-scrabble story of brokenness and
dysfunction and still keep us laughing, with jaw-dropping prose,
recalling a life through a writer’s artful lense.

Now, in Lit,
with a fantastic play on the word, literature prof Karr turns into the
addict she most feared she would become, marries, reunites with her
crazy Texan mother, and–get this–becomes a Christian as she is
sponsored into the Catholic church by a famous literary figure as she
continues to grow as a famous writer… I think we may have given a
shout out to this last year, but now that it is here in paperback, and
Beth and I have both read every page, we can’t say enough about its
captivating prose, the remarkable life it describes, and how, again,
Mary Karr shows us how to do this thing called literary memoir. One of
the most awarded books of last year, and we are happy to fully agree.

BEST INTELLECTUAL BIOGRAPHY

Hope In Scattered Times: A Life of Christopher Lasch
Eric Miller (Eerdmans) $32.00 I almost listed this as one of my
personal favorite books of the year, and it certainly is one of the most
amazing books in any category. I am aware that it is not for everyone
but it is truly extraordinary, about a very important scholar and
writer. There is no other serious biography of the great public
intellectual, Christopher Lasch, and Dr. Miller of Geneva College has
served us well with this wonderfully-written, exceedingly fascinating
account of the intellectual journey of one of the great minds of the
later half of the 20th century. Here is some of what I wrote about it
in a review I did in Comment, on-line journal.

…readers
appreciate serious social criticism and Christopher Lasch was one of
the most important and insightful prophets of our time; his Culture of Narcissism, Haven in a Heartless World, and True and Only Heaven: Progress and Its Critics
are modern classics of serious intellectual social history. Indeed,
this thrilling biography follows Lasch’s journey from a U.S. family
steeped in liberal and progressive politics, through his time as a
student in 1950s Harvard and on to being a “public intellectual” during
the Cold War, and his break with the ideological failings of liberalism,
embracing something quite other than old-school conservatism. Although
his intellect was formidable, his relationships with an impressive array
of friends were equally remarkable. (He was, for instance, novelist
John Updike’s roommate in college, was mentored or influenced by some of
the great American scholars of the 20th century—Mills, Niebuhr,
Schlessinger, Kennen, Hofstadter—and in the conservative revolution of
the 80s was in the thick of conversations with everyone from Jacques
Ellul to Robert Bellah to Jean Bethke Elshtain. One of the best books
of any year that shows the story of a thinker’s life, his movement away
from secular theories, and his effort to embrace a new tradition of
doing social criticism with a view to sustainable hope. The book title,
by the way, is a line from Auden.

BEST BOOKS OF CURRENT AFFAIRS

American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us
Robert D. Putnam & David E. Campbell (Simon & Schuster) $30.00
This is big and fat and has some graphs, so I’m afraid it isn’t going to
be a best-seller here. Yet, the book is garnering critical review, it
is climbing up the best-seller charts, as the authors have been vetted
in important venues.   The back jack endorsements are stunning, with
amazing raves from Cornel West, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Rev. Theodore
Hesburgh, Rabbi Eric Yoffie (who says,”This is the best overview of
American religion in the last half century I have ever read. If you
care about American religion, you must read this book.”) Another
reviewer wrote that it is “an instant canonical text…indispensable.”
How about this, from Alan Dershowitz, “This remarkable book does to
religion what the Kinsey Report did to sex: document, dissect, and
assess…whether you are a fundamentalist or an atheist (or anything in
between) this book matters.”

It’s no wonder it is getting acclaim, first from the reputation of Putnam: Bowling Alone
was an immensely helpful, and very, very interesting contribution to
understanding voluntary associations in our time, and how groups—from
bowling leagues to the PTO to the local Methodist church—are
decreasing in their role in people’s lives. It was one of the great
books of the last decade, and we were early promoters.   Here, now, the
master sociologists turn their eyes to this very big issue of the day,
how religion functions in our culture, how it does or doesn’t divide us,
and how we can think about faith in a pluralistic culture. They’ve
been working on this for years, and given the harsh zeitgeist on these
things, it hasn’t come a moment too soon. I will admit to not having
read all of this. I am not sure if all of his proposals are as helpful
or fruitful as we may need. No matter. This is a key book, important,
vibrant, serious, and to be commended. We wanted to tout it, applauding
the seriousness, the perspective, the writing, and the topic. Kudos to
one and all involved.

Bye-Bye Miss American Empire:
Neighborhood Patriots, Backcountry Rebels, and their Underdog Crusade to
Redraw America’s Political Map Bill Kauffman (Chelsea Green)
$17.95 Well, this is going to be a hard-sell, having you honor our
awarding this for anything more than the season’s longest subtitle. And
I’m not even sure how to explain the darn thing. A lot of this is
history, all of it shaped by author’s quirky passion for localism,
decentralization, and “front-porch anarchism.” (Not to mention his
penchant for word-play, song allusions, and overall clever wittiness.
His friend James Howard Kunstler says he writes with an “antic verve”
which puts it mildly.) I’ve said before that I will read anything this
guy writes, and find his crotchety, wacky, long-winded sentences to
thrill my mind and fill my heart. That is, he is on to something,
giving voice to a third way that is so far left, it is right (or so far
right, it is left.) Or, better, he’s something then again, not
concerning himself with being left or right. He seems even beyond
communitarianism or libertarianism to a small-is-beautiful patriotic
pacifism. Remember the 18th-century debate between the Federalists and
the Jeffersonians? Bigger centralized government vs smaller local
folk? Kauffman is way (way) on the side of the little guys. An earlier
book of his which I couldn’t put down carried the torch of some
outspoken prophets of the colonial era —especially one from Maryland
named Luther Martin—who were against the ratification of the
Constitution; they were in favor of the Articles of the Confederation,
not wanting to give the Feds too much power. Tell that to the
Christian right these days that some early founders opposed the
Constitution! I Samuel 8 isn’t my favorite verse in the Bible for
determining wise statecraft, but Kauffman gets it, and without the lingo
of subsidiarity (Roman Catholic) or sphere sovereignty
(Kuyperian/Calvinist) he sees to invoke the spirit of Wendell Berry and
Dorothy Day and the aforementioned Thomas Jefferson and Luther Martin
and wants everybody to do as they please in their own backyard, free
from the colonization of unneighborly Empires.

This, then,
leads him to the topic of this can’t-put-down travelogue through the
most fascinating counter-culture I’ve found in a long time. He’s
reporting on his journeys to the various conventions, movements and
efforts of those who want to secede from the Union. I’m telling you,
this is one rock-n-roll road trip and he reports, argues with, argues
for, and tells us about the history of folk who don’t want to be
homogenized by Uncle Sam and Wal-Mart. The story of secession—from
populists in West Kansas to the indigenous Lakota people—is much more
interesting (and reasonable and plausible) than the scowling history
books and mainstream media wants us to believe. Kauffman is our man to
make it plain. And, as one reviewer said, make it “intensely
enjoyable.” And Bye-Bye was certainly that for me.

From
those wanting independence for Hawaii to those who think that New York
or California ought to each break into two states, from the
neo-Confederates (some who are black, by the way) of the deep south to
the freedom lovers of crunchy Vermont, from the First Nations peoples of
the contiguous states to the Alaskan Inuits, each group makes a strong
case for being left alone and argues the justice of their call for
freedom. Why should Washington DC determine laws for people in the
Middle of the Pacific? Why, for that matter, should people in Manhattan
care one whit what local zoning rules are in, say, Kauffman’s beloved
small home-town of Batavia NY? (He tells the story of his leaving
big-time Beltway politics and returning home to fight Wal-Mart and coach
a Little League team in the endearing Muckdog Gazette.) It will
be hard to take, but Abe Lincoln is not a hero in this telling of the
tale, and although Kauffman is a sentimental patriot (he’d rather sew
another star on the flag than take one off) he thinks people, especially
those bound by local traditions, faiths, and cultures, have the right
of self-determination. Cheers for Tunisian independence? How about
Texas? What is sacred about the Union, except the mythology of the
importance of Lincoln keeping us together? This is one heckuva book,
rollicking, wild, funny, and very, very informative, about people,
beliefs and movements I have rarely considered. It deserves a couple of
awards, but I don’t know in quite what. Trouble-making? Iconoclasm?
Common sense? Crazy-long sentences? A cool title? Yep. All that and
more. He’s a great writer, and amazingly aware historian, and a deep
down good, good guy.

The Flight of the Intellectuals
Paul Berman (Melville House) $26.00 I am not sure of what to make of
the large implications of this serious work, but it is fascinating for
several reasons, and deserves a significant honor. Firstly, it is
eloquent and mature writing, intellectual argument at its finest. It is
demanding reading, sophisticated and informed. Secondly, it is
commendable because Berman is, as he did in his very urgent Terror and Liberalism,
breaking down historic categories and caricatures. (That is, in that
book, he argued that the lef’t commitment to liberal values ought to
cause them to support the war on terror.) Here, again, he calls on the
liberal intellectual class and the thought leaders of the left—think The New York Review of Books or The New Republic—
to reconsider their naive capitulation to the ideas of the radical
Islamists. One of his important case studies is the reception among
scholars and liberal leaders of Muslim spokesperson and Oxford
professor, Tariq Ramadan. Years ago, intellectuals condemned the fatwa
against Salman Rushdie. Today, Ayatollah’s the world over issue such
calls to assassinate moderates, or execute those who speak out for
justice, and the liberal class is silent.

Why have liberal
intellectuals in the West largely “flown” from their duty to be voices
of freedom and human rights? How can we discuss the threats of some
very dangerous ideas in our polarizing culture? Gripping, important,
and exceptionally thoughtful work by a leading contemporary essayist.
Those of us who strive to be Christian pacifists may not agree, and
Berman himself desires not to be seen as bellicose. This deserves to be
seriously considered and we think we should honor it as one of the most
significant books of 2010.

BEST SCIENCE BOOKS

Darwin’s Pious Idea: Why The Ultra-Darwinists and Creationists Both Get It Wrong
Conor Cunningham (Eerdmans) $34.99 At over 500 pages, this is a slow,
tough read. It is by a world-renowned British philosopher and carries
weighty endorsements by some of the leading intellectuals the world
over. (Charles Taylor, Louis Dupre, John Haught, Slavoj Zizek. Slavoj
Zizek??) I must admit that I am not the best judge of these things, but
I’ve read a handful of science books this year, am still drawn to the
intelligent design authors in ways that many of my friends find
perplexing, and this really does seem to be of a calibre unlike anything
I’ve seen lately. I am not alone in stating that this is an obvious
masterwork, a work that may endure as a classic contribution, and an
important study of not only science, but of the Biblical notion of
creation and its mature import for the doing of the philosophy of
science. As Stanley Hauerwas observes, “Writing with engaging humor
that betrays an extraordinary energetic intelligence, Cunningham shows
us why, given the Christian God, an evolutionary account of life is
necessary. This theological account of creation will become a classic.”

A Fine-Tuned Universe: The Question for God in Science and Theology
Alister McGrath (WJK) $39.95 I’m going out on a limb here, but not a
very thin one. I’ve not read this, but the evidence is sturdy. This is
a masterpiece and truly a notable book in these days. This is an
expanded version of Dr. McGrath’s Gifford Lectures of 2009 and to have
them released in 2010 is a scholarly gift to the world. You may know
the prestigious reputation of the Giffords, one of the most closely
watched and important lecture series in the world, having been annually
delivered for over 100 years. Given at the University of Aberdeen, they
usually are related to issues of natural theology, faith and the
sciences or a theological perspective on our scientific culture and some
of the most prominent theological minds of the 20th century have
lectured there. This dense book, considerably expanded, stands in a
grand tradition. With endorsements by scientists Philip Clayton,
Francis Collins, and John Polkinghorne, this remarkable, prolific,
evangelical thinker, with PhDs in both science and theology, is surely
well deserving of our simple honor. Surely one of the important books
of the year.

BEST REFLECTION ON POP CULTURE

The Day Metallica Came to Church: Searching for the Everywhere God in Everything
John Van Sloten (Square Inch) $14.99 I suppose I was first captured by
the cool cover and the hand-sized package with deckled pages and the
oh-so-clever title. Even more, the “square inch” of this publishing
imprint is an allusion to the famous phrase in a speech by Dutch
statesman Abraham Kuyper, who insisted that Christ claims as his own
“every square inch” of creation, demanding a uniquely Christian
perspective on our thinking about everything. But it was the wisdom of
the chapters that turned this into a useful resource and into an award
winning keeper of a book; this is glowing, fine, amazingly fun reportage
of finding God in all manner of places. From the movie Crash to
the stories of Batman, from Metallica to Bach, Van Gogh to the local
soccer game, God is to be found, at loose in the world, helping people
discern meaning and goodness and grace. From Ray Charles to Joel &
Ethan Coen, Van Sloten takes it all in, and offers back helpful
reflections and thoughtful meditations, often informed by eloquent
religious writers of the likes of Frederick Buechner, Madeline L’Engle
or George MacDonald. It isn’t every book, by the way, that has blurbs
on the back by Leonard Sweet and Shane Claiborne and Richard Mouw, but
all bring their voices to celebrate the Spirit at work in the world,
shown to us by the skilled eye and good writing of this Canadian pastor.

BEST BOOKS FOR PERSONAL GROWTH

About You: Fully Human Fully Alive
Dick Staub (Jossey Bass) $22.95 I suppose you know the quote from the
first century Christian leader that the glory of God is seen in a person
fully alive. In a book that artist Bruce Herman of Gordon College has
called “refreshingly honest” Staub ” doesn’t flinch at the reality of
our fallenness, but offers fresh insight into a profound mystery: Why
does God love us? What is wrong with the current picture of our lives?
How can it be painted more beautifully and truly to match the vision of
the Artist?” Indeed, artistic metaphors are helpful in this fine book,
but it is not mere metaphor. Staub truly knows that the best theology
based on the best reading of the Bible calls us to be truly alive in the
world.   As it says on the front cover “Jesus Didn’t Come to Make Us
Christians; Jesus Came to Make Us Fully Human.” This is a lovely study
of salvation, humanness, cultural engagement, passion, desire, goodness,
and all that goes in to being people who understand that we are “made,
marred, and mended.”   Staub is a fabulous storyteller, a respected
journalist, and an important leader in the post-fundamentalist recovery
of evangelicalism. That is, as his earlier book put it, he is now “too
pagan and too Christian” somehow in the middle (and loving every minute
of it!) Isn’t this a bit like Jesus–a bit too loose for the religious
types, but a bit too holy for the sinners? Yet he loved all and invites
us all–saints and sinners–to let go of dumb categories, gnostic
pieties, and be reborn into true life. I love this stuff. You should
too.

Squeezed: Springing Free from Skinny Jeans, Nose Jobs, Highlights and Stilettos
Margot Starbuck (IVP) $16.00 You may recall how we raved and raved a
year or so ago about this new writer we discovered, a funny and poignant
storyteller, whose search for a birth-father (and a Heavenly Father), a
journey through chronic pain and depression and into Christian ministry
just took our breath away. Girl in an Orange Dress remains a
moving and rewarding memoir and we are thrilled that the girl has given
us a new book. As a male, I suppose I didn’t get as much out of it as
more feminine readers, but I am proud to say as loudly as I can that
this was one of the best books of 2010. She covers “body image” and
cultural-criticism territory that some have written about before but
with a theological depth and savvy (and yet a light-hearted joy) that is
a rare blend. Her writing abilities are stellar, her insight
impressive, her passion contagious and, did I say she is funny? She is
funny. This is the kind of “Christian self-help book” that redeems the
phrase, and is a standard for the sorts of contemporary, practical,
insightful books that we need to see on the market. This is a
“no-brainer” and a truly award winning title. Yippee.

The Art of Dying: Living Fully to the Life to Come
Rob Moll (IVP) $16.00 Book lovers will know what I mean when I say
that there are certain books that become deeply meaningful, almost
sacred in their impact, in ways that one can hardly whisper about. I
have not reviewed this book on line yet, in part, because I don’t really
know how to sell it, what to say that will communicate what it is, how
well it is written, how vibrant and real and alive it is. Will ordinary
folks want to read a book about hospice care, about caregiving; can
interviews about end of life care be that inspiring? Can a book about
dying be beautiful? Of course. Do we all need such a book? Duh. There
have been rituals and practices in times gone by that helped us all
attend to “dying well” and there have been spiritual writings about “a
good death.” Why do we not now hear of this much? How can we recover
not a morbid sense of fear or sadness, but an awareness of Christian
consolation. It sounds like a cliche as I say it, but this book on
learning to die will help us learn to live. What an honorable book this
is. We happily list it as one of the best.

BEST NEW RESOURCES ABOUT C.S. LEWIS

Again,
I just have to announce a draw—there are such a goodly number of
important and interesting Lewisonia works, that I couldn’t name just
one. But two stand out for their quality, usefulness, and the way they
appealed to us. If I was at an old public house, I’d raise my pint and
say “hear, hear” or something like that in honorable mention of these
two—one a new and rare DVD, the other a lovely overview.

DVD The C.S. Lewis Study Program: Mere Christianity
Dr. Chris Mitchell (C.S Lewis Institute) $19.99 I cannot tell you how
many times we have been asked here at the shop for a resource to walk
readers through the logic and analogies and teachings of Lewis’ most
influential work, Mere Christianity. Here—fife and drum roll,
please—at long last, we have not only a good, but a truly exceptional
aid.   This new DVD is a great, great release, and we are exuberant to
finally be able to make such a resource available. If you love Lewis,
you will know what I mean when I say this is precious, holy,
life-changing material And if you do not, but wonder what all the fuss
is about, this may be the perfect entry.   Read my longer review of this
one-of-a-kind (and now, “award-winning”) four-part DVD resource to walk
you through the this important classic book, and learn more about it.
We are happy to stock it, eager to tell of it’s spiritual helpfulness,
insightful and professional tone, and truly award-winning style.

The Soul of C. S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings
Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington (Tyndale) $19.99 As
I noted at the BookNotes blog earlier, this book could sell for twice
the price and be a bargain. Lovingly
edited and compiled, this really is, as the sub-title says, a sweet
reflection on all of Lewis’ major works. This is at once a “readers
guide” and guidebook, but also a thoughtful and at times captivating
rumination on the deepest meanings and insights of C. S. L. The reviews
are gathered into four major sections, and although they offer the dates
and chronology, they are arranged by theme, or tone. They show the
movement of his thought, following his journey of “Pilgrimage”,
“Temptation and Triumph”, “Going Deeper”, and,
then, the books that they describe as “Words of Grace.”

Lovers
of
Lewis will surely be thrilled to see these authors arrange and discuss
so caringly his impressive body of work. Those who need a friendly
sherpa or two to help you in the daunting journey, well,
you’ve found them. We are happy to honor this as one of the best.

BEST BOOKS OF BASIC CHRISTIAN GROWTH

The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus
Mark Labberton (IVP) $20.00 From the first paragraph of this riveting
book, I new I had a true winner on my hands. Labberton wrote the
remarkable Dangerous Act of Worship and this, in a way, is a
natural sequel. How can we become people who love well? Why do some
people seem to gravitate to the poor and needy, to share love with the
unloved, the underdog? What is the root of apathy? Mark Labberton is a
PC(USA) pastor, and now preaching prof at Fuller Theological Seminary.
He uses his considerable communication skills to great effect in giving
us a fantastic study, the book—as Brenda Salter McNeil says, “that
I’ve been waiting for! It is practical and thought-provoking guide that
shows us how to cultivate lives of justice, mercy, and faith.” Alan
Hirsch, a passionate, missional writer himself, notes that it is
“eloquent and subversive.” Do you see people through the eyes of
Jesus? In even asking this, I realize I want to read this again, more
slowly this time. This is one of the great examples of why I am proud
to be a bookseller, an example of the fine, mature, ecumenical work that
is coming from our evangelical publishing houses these days. Award
winning, to be sure.

Letters to a Young Calvinist: An Invitation to the Reformed Tradition
James K.A. Smith (Baker) $14.99 Wait, wait, hear me out. This is the
awards show, you know, so even if you aren’t interested in this—even
if you are neither young nor Calvinist—I’m telling you, this is truly
one of the best books of the year! Don’t you dare change that channel.
I adored this little volume, and thinks it is wise, interesting,
good, and important. Jamie, as you may know, teaches philosophy at
Calvin College, and is interested in all sorts of fascinating stuff.
He’s a bit Pentecostal, he’s very postmodern, he’s very interested in
film and literature, he’s quite ecumenical and he’s politically, well,
not the Christian right. (He’s taken Jim Wallis to task, too, for—get
this–civil religion, in his collection of essays The Devil Reads Derrida.) So he’s an amazing writer, and on that short list of people you should read almost anything he does.

This
is a set of pastoral letters he has written to a young guy and gal
(composites, really, so this is fictional, I guess) helping them move
away from their rather boisterous convictions about old school
Calvinism. Jamie is a fine “five-point Calvinist” so he is not
betraying his tradition, but he is wisely counseling them to deepen
their ecumenical roots, to understand that there is more to the Reformed
tradition than arguments about predestination. You may know that the
mainstream media (Time, Newsweek, and places as diverse as the Chronicle of Higher Education and The New York Times, and The Christian Century and Christianity Today have all highlighted what some are calling the “new” young Calvinists, documented in the book by journalist Collen Hanson, Young, Reformed and Restless, sporting the popular “Jonathan Edwards Is My Homeboy tee- shirt on the cover.)

Letters to…
is an effort to shape the piety of this rising generation of
neo-Puritans into perhaps a “kinder gentler” Calvinism, and introducing
them to other strains, including Smith’s beloved Abraham Kuyper. Using
this time-honored device of personal letters of guideance, he explains a
variety of nuances, names several authors, invites his young friends to
understand Kuyper’s notions of common grace and cultural engagement,
and even points them to Reformed voices from the global south. (The
little postcards from Jamie’s international travels are genius, breaking
up the email style a bit.) Who knew that the debate about whether or
not debating TULIP could be so fruitful, and who knew that reading over
the shoulder of some receiving forthright pastoral guidance could be so
very helpful? This is a book I wish believers of all ages and stripes
would consider. It is sane, wise, nicely written, informative, and
solid. Dare I use the word edifying? Indeed. If you like anything
about what we write here, this is the sort of spirituality and
discipleship that keeps us going. We celebrate it, honor it, and hope
you do to.

Your Church Is Too Small: Why Unity in Christ’s Mission is Vital for the Future of the Church
John Armstrong (Zondervan) $19.99 This past year I took this book with
a misleading title around to church leadership events, telling everyone
I can that I think it is important (and pointing out the very clear and
properly urgent sub-title which really describes it best.) I’m
confident, however, that it is not just a book for church leaders;
developing a heart for a Biblically-based commitment to ecumenicity is a
primary calling for the ordinary Christian. So, we celebrate this,
honoring it with our feeble “ecumenical” award.    It is a book we
believe in, and it tells an interesting story. Armstrong was once a
very strict and separatist Baptist, a gifted communicator with several
books, including some on publishers that do mostly Puritan theology. He
wasn’t really a very ecumenical fellow, it seems. Yet, his natural
good-natured personality and intellectual curiosity kept him reading
widely and relating to others outside his own circle.

This
recent book is partly John’s own story of growing into a heart-felt
ecumenicity and a Biblical and theological call to a rich, evangelical
view of the full Body of Christ. With a moving forward by Anglican J.
I. Packer, John has given us a large gift, born of his own pain and
struggles, friendships lost and friendship gained, as he explores the
meaning of the “missional church” in these postmodern times. Mainline
denominations have had a consistent, if thin, vision of ecumenical work,
so leaders and readers in mainline circles may not feel they need to
read a book like this—but they surely should, as it offers a very
helpful basis for thinking about church. As most mainline denominations
are in conflict, and evangelical churches look on with suspicion, we
all need a reminder of what we are called to be as Gods people, how we
can find solidarity beyond denominational boundaries, even amidst
tensions; it is understandable in hard times to focus on our own issues
and concerns.

Still, as Your Church Is Too Small
reminds us, too often, our view of the church is too small, too
parochial. We must rediscover and live into an active expression of
being a global and faithful Body of Christ, ambassadors for His reign of
shalom, witnessing to the reconciliation He has wrought. This book
proposes, with diligent Biblical exposition, that we can unite in
mission, and that co-operation is a must. This is an important part of
our own work here, and we are delighted to honor this as one of the key
books of 2010. It is a rare book on the church, on being ecumenical,
told by a recovering separatist (who is, by the way, on his way to meet
with the Vatican quite soon.) With blurbs by a Roman Catholic, an
Orthodox priest, and an evangelical on the back, this is a
ground-breaking book. It is rare I can say this, but there is nothing
like it in print! It is a book we all need.   We’re happy to name it
one of the best and most unique books of 2010, not just for leaders or
denominational executives or those inclined towards pleasant theological
debate, but for every ordinary Christian.

Untamed: Reactivating a Missional Form of Discipleship
Alan & Deborah Hersh (Baker) $14.99   You may know that one of the
most popular religious publishing trends–a school of thought and
theological vision that has really taken off–is to think about
congregational life in terms of the broad duty to witness to God’s reign
in all of life, being a church “for the world.” They call this being
missional; not just sending out missionaries, but being a community that
thinks always about engagement, witness, service. The nuances and
implications of this are vast, and there have been more missional church
events and books than you can imagine (most of it very good, in our
view.) At last, somebody from the epicenter of that conversation has
applied the missional congregation theories to ordinary living, adopting
that passion and rhetoric and rubrics to daily, wholistic
discipleship. This is fantastic, a new way to be reminded of what it
means to be a follower of Jesus and an ambassador of the Kingdom,
written with personal stories and remarkable vision. Right on.

Generous Justice: How God’s Grace Makes Us Just Timothy Keller (Dutton) $19.95 This hand-sized hardback, handsomely matching his previous, wonderful Prodigal God and Counterfeit Gods, is truly one of the great books of the year. As I noted at BookNotes, I am so fond of this for several important reasons. Firstly, it is very well done, thoughtful, interesting, and Biblically wise. Further, it is very important, I believe, to ground our urgent activism for social justice in the goodness of the gospel and this “gospel centered” vision of God’s grace is vital. The subtitle of this is not mere marketing or incidental. The justification we have with God, wrought by God’s own redemptive work in Christ through the cross, is the cornerstone of the Kingdom coming. Our work for a “whole new world’ and our calling to be agents of redemptive change, especially for the poor and oppressed, does not need to be–ought not be!–justified with wacky or obscure theological speculations. The Bible and orthodox faith necessarily leads one to be agents of justice, to care about God’s world, to work for mercy and public righteousness; folks in mainline churches and within more evangelical movements alike need clear-headed and theologically reliable foundations if we are going to endure in this important work. This is particularly important since, even now, some churches tends towards the social implications of the gospel while others tend to verbal evangelism and church growth stuff. Keller helps us, in clear and non-controversial ways, to keep it together, to be fully wholistic, to be motivated to work for justice in God’s own ways.

This is a grand and vital book, will be a reassurance to many who know that the work for justice is urgent, and will be an eye-opener and heart-former for those with conservative doctrine who may have yet to realize how central social justice is for faithful discipleship. Generous Justice is the kind of readable and high-calibre book that gives Christian books a great name, and the kind of evangelical exposition that makes me proud. I’ve longed for a book like this for 30 years. Short and sweet and solid as the rock. Kudos.

Besides the Bible: 100 Books That Have, Should, or Will Create a Christian Culture
Dan Gibson, Jordan Green, John Pattison and others (Biblica) $14.99 I
thought it might be tacky to do a category of “books the proprietor of
Hearts & Minds has a chapter in” but I am fully sincere in saying
this is a rare and remarkable resource for the spiritual formation of
disciples in the way of Christ. Christ calls us disciples, you know,
which means learner. You wouldn’t be reading this (and I surely
wouldn’t be writing it) if we didn’t believe that reading widely is an
act of spiritual formation, and that learning what to read is a key
skill for maturing faith. Here–as you probably know if you follow our
blog or facebook or twitter—these three guys, who write for the
Burnside Writer’s Collective, do reviews of their all-time top 100
books. Actually, they got excited about the project, so they graciously
invited others to name one book they would review: Donald Miller,
Phyllis Tickle, Susan Isaacs, Becky Garrison, Karen Spears Zacharias,
some other great, great folks, and, uh, yours truly.

I’ve never
won any awards to speak of, and I can only say that I am sincerely
honored to be a part of this nifty publishing posse. The books they
commend are almost always thoughtful and important, and the way they
write–briefly— about them are compelling and enjoyable. Besides the Bible
is a book to have fun with, to use as a resource, to keep handy, and to
share with others. You may not need to read every book they/we
suggest, but you should certainly know about them all. If you don’t, you
may need this more than you know! We need to honor God with our minds,
we need to be fluent in the culture around us, and we can celebrate the
good role of the best books in our culture, glad for the common grace
of good words and good ideas and good art in the finest literature. Besides the Bible
has some cool ideas, suggested by some good folks. If we don’t give
this a big ol’ honkin’ H&M holler, then I’d just be being falsely
humble. This is a fabulous little book. Hooray.

BEST BOOKS OF PASTORAL THEOLOGY

â€¨â€¨Drawn to Freedom: Christian Faith Today in Conversation with the Heidelberg Catechism
Eberhard Busch (Eerdmans) $32.00 I will admit that I am drawn to the
Heidelberg, and I am struck by the the way it is studied among the more
liberal UCC folk and more conservative CRC folk—denominations that
matter to me, even though they are not my own. This is translated by a
central Pennsylvania gentleman who studied with Barth and came to know
Dr. Busch as a younger man in Germany. The backstory is worth awarding
this some dear prize, and we are thrilled to know of it. Busch is a
serious thinker, and this will be daunting for all but the most
dedicated students. Yet, as Scott Hoezee writes, “Busch writes
lyrically about human freedom in relationship to God. But along the way
it is the Heidelberg Catechism itself that gets liberated. Busch has
freed the Catechism from its reputation of being outdated and fusty by
showing the relevance of the Reformed traditions’ premier confession in
answering questions that people are still asking.” This includes some
very penetrating analysis, and deserves to be honored as the sort of
serious work that could helpfully inform pastors, leaders, teachers and
those who are tasked with the instruction of the faithful. Kudos for
the good work, and thanks for the good effort, Bill Rader, careful and
caring translator.

For the Fame of God’s Name: Essays in Honor of John Piper
edited by Sam Storms & Justin Taylor (Crossway) $35.00 I may be
out on a limb, here, since the fierce Baptist pastor John Piper, who
calls himself a Christian hedonist as he presses hard for God’s joy, is a
bit too bombastic than some of our gentle readers may care for. Yet,
this feitschgrift, collected as a surprise for his 60th birthday, is as
fine a collection of practical theology as I’ve seen this year. Many
fine men—yes, they are all men, given his views of women in church
leadership—offer solid articles and essays to honor Piper with his
emphasis on the joy of the gospel known as we honor the glory of God in
all things. Piper teaches his people relentlessly that we are to “make
much of God” in all we do. Our pleasure is found as we give glory to
Christ. this sustains them through hard times and in the serious call to
sacrifice and giving that his parish is known for.

There is no
doubt that Piper is one of the extraordinary pastors and preachers of
our time and his commitment to preaching the sovereignty of God and the
gospel of grace is consistent and commendable. But this book is less
about Piper and can be seen as a fine resource for a lifetime of study.
From heavy theological scholars like G.K. Beale, Bruce Ware and D. A
Carson to pastoral leaders like Ray Ortlund and C. J. Mahaney to
Biblical scholars like Thomas Schreiner, these are all serious, weighty,
insightful authors (if on the strictly conservative end of
evangelicalism.) Nearly every contributor has himself a stellar book or
more, and even when they are scholars whose positions I may not always
agree with, they are worthy of serious consideration. They write on a
variety of topics, all rooted in historic Protestant piety. Some
explore the supremacy of God in various aspects of contemporary
life—Randy Alcorn rails against our materialism and Thabiti Anyabwile
writes about ethnicity and racism. David Powlinson has a good piece on
counseling and Justin Taylor writes passionately about the pro-life
cause as an example of God’s gracious heart. I loved the overview of
the mission of God by the wonderful Scott Hafemann and there is an
interesting piece called “The Mystery of Marriage” which, again,
develops a heady Christ-centered view.   Of course there are a few
pieces about Jonathan Edwards and they are very nicely done. (Our friend
Stephen Nichols has one on Edwards’ preaching and Sam Storms has a
powerful chapter on Edwards—and Piper’s–pursuit of joy.)

Few
of our readers will agree with all of these strong conservative
Calvinistic voices; many Reformed folks don’t even put things quite the
way this gang does. But you should know the contributors–from the
helpful Scotsman Sinclair Ferguson to the Capitol Hill Baptist leader
Mark Dever, and most of the others. Can this old school stuff fly in
our edgy 21st century culture? Does this sort of thinking bear fruit
that is truly of God’s Kingdom? Let me be frank: I don’t think this is
all we need. But this is solid, meaty, and in many ways beautiful
stuff. Those who appreciate it are doing honorable ministry and we
commend it for your consideration. We think it deserves to be honored,
even as it was written to honor Dr. Piper.

BEST BOOKS ON CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

There
are oodles of books for parish life, good resources, inspiring stories,
things for pastors and things for church folk of all kinds. I hardly
know where to begin. I’ve enjoyed skimming through many, and some are
very well done. Lots are useful. Yet, I must say that few, now, stand
out as utterly exceptional. Except a very few.

The Gifts of the Small Church Jason Byassee (Abingdon) $14.00 You may know Byassee from his fine writing in The Christian Century.
He is now a scholar at Duke Divinity School, but a while back he
pastored a small country church. This captures the texture of a vital
congregation that taught him much. Some of it is a hoot—reading like
Richard Lichard’s classic Open Secret while other parts are
somewhat “Peterson-esque.” All of it is well done, the characters are
captured just right and the gifts and graces of small church life are
celebrate in his musings. There is a good afterward by Will Willimon,
who notes, “To see our people as Christ sees them, to see the church as
Christ sees it may be the one thing needful in all Christian ministry.
That is what Jason Byassee has done here and that is what he so
eloquently invites the rest of us to do as well.” Three good cheers.
Let’s have a pot-luck casserole to celebrate!

The Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love
James Bryan Smith (IVP) $22.00 It should come as no surprise that we
tout this magnificent book, the third in a trilogy of titles, all among
the best books of recent years. First came The Good and Beautiful God, and then The Good and Beautiful Life
and now this one, on church life. This “Apprentice” series draws on
Dallas Willard’s key insights that discipleship demands a vision of
being apprenticed, and invites readers to exercises of soul care,
thinking through ways to enhance the reading with real life efforts to
engage the material. This is a very enjoyable, strong, helpful, and
very well-conceived book about the nature of the local faith community,
and invites us to be agents of God’s Kingdom by being in relationship
with others on the journey, so we can be shaped by them, and so we can
be empowered to serve others. This great book brings together worship,
spiritual practices and community engagement and roots them in the
narrative of what God is doing in Christ. Another great example of the
fine formatio line of IVP released in cooperation with Renovare,
the spiritual formation ministry of Richard Foster. This is some of the
best “soul training” stuff we’ve seen, and we are particularly glad for
one on the nature of the local body. One of the best of the year.

BEST BOOKS ON YOUTH MINISTRY

This
has been a great year for youth ministry resources, and is especially
notable for a few scholarly and/or serious works that are important and
have been widely reviewed. We are happy to list these notable titles,
glad for such work being done. May the field continue to mature, and
may our congregational care and outreach to teens grow more faithful and
success. We are eager to honor these books that stand out.

Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church
Kendra Creasy Dean (Oxford University Press) $24.95 Granted, most of
this draws on the same ground as Christian Smith and his ground-breaking
research on the lame views of God and faith that most teens have
absorbed, this really does share that sociology in the context of
ordinary mainline congregations. That Dean teaches in the field (Smith
does not) and therefore offers suggestions for the remedy, helps make
this truly one of the most important books of its kind, certainly in my
memory.    She has done some of her own research, shows how to get
beyond this mediocre religiosity, and, as Mark DeVries notes, “the book
pulls no punches but, at the same time, inspires hope that the American
church can–in fact, must–move beyond the flimsy, vague, self-absorbed
spirituality that has unintentionally been woven into the faith of
postmodern American Christianity.” This fine book has been reported on
in the mainstream news, and has been widely reviewed. We name it as one
of our very Best of the Year!

OMG: A Youth Ministry Handbook
edited by Kendra Creasy Dean (Abingdon) $26.00 While Dean was busy
writing her important Oxford book, she pulled together some of the best
and most thoughtful youth ministry leaders—from mainline and
ecumenical congregations, mostly, folks like Rodger Nishioka and Amy
Scott Vaughn—and invited them to collaborate on a resource that has
weighty theological insight, but is upbeat, useful, and real.
Applicable and important for all youth workers, it is nice to see a
nuance and serious handbook, with endorsements on the back from a
Lutheran, a Roman Catholic, a prof at United Methodist Perkins, and a
Presbyterian. Can the teen-speak “OMG” be a pray, a plea, a petition?
Let us hope so. This book will help be the answer.   Very, very good
and very, very special.

Consuming Youth: Leading Teens Through Consumer Culture
John Berard, James Benner & Rick Bartless (Zondervan) $16.99 A few
years ago we were told that we were one of the few bookstores that
invited youth workers to consider the sociology of late consumer
capitalism and how advertising and popular culture have shaped
adolescent development by offering secular books about youth written by
savvy culture critics and sociologist. Stuff like Naomi Klein on
branding or Jean Kilbourne on sexualized advertising; we stock books
like A Tribe Apart or Teenage Wasteland and the work of
Thomas Hine and Michael Warren. Just like any missionary, youth workers
have to know something about the culture in which teens find
themselves.

At last, a reliable, thoughtful and energetic book
offers a serious critique of our 21st century branded culture and
navigates these recent stormy waters with a theology that is engaged,
critical, informed, and hopeful. Yes, they cite the good, hard stuff,
and yes, they quote all kinds of wild and wonderful writers. At the end
of it all, they hope to shape an alternative script for youth in
today’s consumer culture, moving the conversation forward about how to
mentor youth in the cultural location in they now exist. I hope Consuming Youth
sells and I hope it is taken to heart and I hope more youth
workers—some who have natural instincts about this stuff–will develop
habits and practices of doing this exact kind of critical theology.
Maybe our shout out will help. Is it consumeristic and secularizing and
corrupting to give them a (not too glitzy) H&M award?? Ha.

Story, Signs and Sacred Rhythms: A Narrative Approach to Youth Ministry
Chris Folmsbee (Zondervan) $14.99 I wanted to give this an award as
soon as I saw it—what a cool look and a great, great title. And a
cheapo price for a sturdy hardback! Way to go Zondervan! Still, a fine
price and title alone isn’t enough to seduce this award-picking
committee of one, no sir. And, trust me, this easily-read book is truly
award-winning in my book, as it reminds us how narrative theology—one
that actually follows the plot-line of the Bible—can help us rethink
youth ministry. You know, I think anyone in ministry can benefit from
this—pastors, counselors, para-church workers. Or anybody trying to
live the Christian life. This is a helpful reconstruction of what it
means to do ministry and what it means to live into the Story of God by
allowing the story and signs to shape our sacred rhythms.

Reinventing Youth Ministry (Again): From Bells and Whistles to Flesh and Blood
(IVP) $17.00 Wayne Rice has been at the forefront of the rise of the
youth ministry industry, was a co-founder of “Youth Specialties” which
helped youth groups learn from wild and crazy bells and whistles, a
style and ethos to which he now brings some needed critique. I for one
am in many ways a product of that immense mid-70s paradigm shift, and
the zany, evangelical, relationally fun approach taught by the likes of
Wayne and the late Mike Yaconelli, became a major part of my life in
campus ministry in those years. Which is to say, I owe this dude, big
time. As Walt Mueller—the go-to guy on big picture youth stuff in
North America—says, “All of us in youth ministry owe a debt of
gratitude to Wayne Rice. With this book, our debt just got bigger.”
As Duffy Robbins notes, this book allows us to “look backward only long
enough so that we don’t repeat (or make new) mistakes about going
forward.” This deserves to be considered one of the great books of
recent years, not only because of who wrote it, its historical
significance, but because of the solid guidance he offers as we move
into a new era, demanding a new wave of youth ministry.

BEST BOOKS OF APOLOGETICS

Belief: Readings on the Reason for Faith
selected and with an introduction by Francis S. Collins (HarperOne)
$19.99 This truly is a great reader, designed for seekers, and a helpful
anthology of some of the best excerpts of some of the best books of all
time. The excerpts are gathered together and arranged by subject—for
instance, it begins with “classic arguments for faith and reason”
(which includes Plato and Augustine and Aquinas and Pascal and more) and
moves to “the meaning of truth” which includes a great, diverse,
excerpts from Os Guinness, Madeleine L’Engle, and Dorothy Sayers. Other
units include “Loving God with All Your Mind”, excerpts on the problem
of evil and suffering, two readings on justice, three good pieces on
“miracles, longing and mysticism” and so on. “Love and forgiveness as
pointers to God” include excerpts by Bonhoeffer, Viktor Frankl and
Mother Theresa. Oh, the wide array of contributors to this good
volume—Chesterton, Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Elie Wiesel. A few are
not as well known, important and sharp evangelicals (like Collin’s
friend, Art Lindsley and one of his mentors in relating faith and
science, Alister McGrath.) I don’t know any other book that includes
readings from the Dali Lama and philosopher Alvin Plantinga and NYC
pastor, Tim Keller. With a piece by the late Anthony Flew, and an
introduction to the journey by N. T. Wright, you can see this is
thoughtful, good stuff. With authors like Thomas Merton, you can be
assured it isn’t just a pushy evangelical ruse: this really is a fine
and robust set of vital readings.

Anyone who loves ideas, who
loves historic classics, or who is seriously interested in the quest for
human meaning simply ought to have this fine anthology. If this were
an academy award, surely it would get something like “best supporting
actor” as Collins himself—now the head of the NIH and a leading voice
in the discussions about faith and science—doesn’t have a chapter. We
are awarding it gladly, hoping you agree. What a great resource!

A Place for Truth: Leading Thinkers Explore Life’s Hardest Questions
edited by Dallas Willard (IVP Academic) $20.00 You may know the good
work of Veritas Forum, a ministry that hosts meaningful and civil
discussions (and sometimes, debates) on college campuses—often at the
very best Ivy League schools–presenting the wonderful case that
Christian faith has intellectual credibility and should not be dismissed
as irrelevant to university life. Some of the finest authors and
speakers of our generation, leaders we admire, are in this “highlights
from the Veritas Forum.” Just for instance, there is Francis Collins
and Os Guinness, Tim Keller and Ronald Sider, Mary Poplin and N.T.
Wright. This collection covers so much good ground—from intellectual
argumentation, to thoughtful testimonial memoir, to various lectures on
Christian perspectives on the arts, science, politics and social
concern—that it is hard to describe this briefly. It is a tremendous
resource, deserving of great appreciation, and a good example of the
sorts of fruitful work the Forum has done. Bene optime!

BEST BOOKS ON EVANGELISM

Okay,
I’ll admit it. I love reading books like this. I don’t do it all that
well, but let’s let that go for now. We need to be reminded of the
goodness of sharing the good news, and be instructed on best practices,
as they say. The best one of the year? The one that gets you talking.
The one that gets me talking. This isn’t rocket science, but I find
that a few of these are stellar. Let’s call em honorable mentions, at
least.

The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks To Talk with People About Jesus
Lee Strobel & Mark Mittelberg (Zondervan) $14.99 This is a
collection of 42 stories, arranged to be read one-a-day, so that you are
inspired to stay open to the possibility that God might open a door for
you to love another, or talk about Christ, or invite someone into a
conversation about church or God or truth No, these aren’t all stories
of front-porch conversions, but they are real, healthy first-steps to be
used by God, and they are deeply moving. If even a few people did even
a few of the things suggested in this collection, the world would be a
better place, seekers might be invited into faith, and God’s Kingdom
might be advanced in concrete ways. I’m all about this, affirm the
goodness of the tales, like the way it is pitched, invite you to
consider joining this kind of exhilarating adventure.

Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel
J. Mack Stiles (IVP) $15.00 This is a bit heavy, maybe even a bit
alarmist. The author seems concerned that too many folks are saying dumb
stuff about God, thinking they are sharing the gospel, when, in fact,
they don’t even understand the gospel themselves. While he is deeply
committed to social outreach, he wants to be clear that merely doing
justice advocacy or creation care is not the same as evangelism. There
is a character component, of course—our lives have to have integrity
and there needs to be some consistency between message and
messenger—hence, the good subtitle about “living” the gospel. And it
really is helpful to understand the key doctrines of God, stuff about
guilt and grace and God’s goodness ad our need and Christ’s atoning
work. So here it is, a serious, passionate reminder of what evangelism
truly is, why it is important, and the need to forego formulas and
programs and get our own hearts and minds, our lives and our doctrines,
aligned with orthodox theology so they are consistent with Biblical
teaching. It’s a bit tough-sounding, but I agree. I wish anyone eager
to share their faith would redouble their study, and read this book.
First things first. And if you do not have a passion for sharing the
good news, it could be–could it be?–some indication that you may not
have considered the nature of the gospel of grace much yourself. Either
way, this is one of the best contributions to this field in quite a
while. Way to go.

The Best Kept Secret of Christian Mission: Promoting the Gospel with More Than Our Lips John
Dickson (Zondervan) $22.99 The boring cover kept me from reading this
until a respected friend and Christian leader asked me about it. Oops.
As I explored it quickly I was immediately drawn in; I couldn’t put it
down. What a book! The important subtitle is nothing new: Promoting the
Gospel With More Than Our Lips, but the insight this British leader
offers about the role of laypeople, ones integration of faith and work,
the calling to live meaningfully engaged in the world around us, is
truly remarkable. There is tremendous Bible research here, too—opening
up new insights in a very no-nonsense, fully readable way. Hefty
blurbs on the back range from Richard Bauckham to Collin Hansen to Jim
Belcher to N.T. Wright. This really is a cut above many, a helpful
guide to the whole picture of evangelism and invites us to realize that
we can, indeed, make a Godly different in the lives around us.
Terrific!

BEST BOOKS OF BIBLICAL STUDIES

â€¨â€¨Why the Bible Matters: Rediscovering Its Significance in an Age of Suspicion
Michael Erre (Harvest House) $13.99 I list this because it is a
wonderful, wonderful, and very necessary book about the big picture of
the unfolding drama of the whole Scriptures. It nicely explains what
Gabe Lyons calls the “four chapter story” and what Al Wolter’s
introduced in Creation Regained and what Walsh & Middleton (in Transforming Vision)
taught to N.T. Wright—that the Bible is a narrative with the flow
from good creation to radical fall to cosmic redemption and full
creational restoration. Erre is chatty and funny, a bit cynical and
raw, and walks us through a high regard for the authority of Scripture
with a view to the consistent history of redemption that flows through
the odd tales and perplexing history. That is, he has a narrative
approach, and this seems a bit like a Bible study through the eyes of
Donald Miller, say. A good appendix has a helpful annotated list of
some good resources to defend a traditional view of the Bible against
some weird criticisms and hair-brained allegations, but this is not the
thrust of the book. Yep, this is now my favorite, basic-level,
easy-to-read, engaging overview of the Bible, written with youthful wit,
narrative integrity, without implying anything other than an utterly
high view of the authority of God’s Story for our own. Wild, a bit
wacky, and very inviting.

The Story of God, the Story of Us
Sean Gladding (IVP) $17.00 It is hard not to applaud too loudly for
this one-of-a kind book, and we are thrilled to award it our honor, such
as it is. Yes, this book deserves accolades for several reasons.
Firstly, it does indeed capture the “one true story of the whole world”
(as Newbigin puts it.) It does this with a clever and helpful set of
titles (all starting with the letters C, an idea he may have borrowed
from Brian McLaren.) Don’t you just have to read an overview of the
Bible that goes like this: Creation, Catastrophe, Covenant, Community
(Exodus), Community (Sinai), Conquest, Crown, Conceit, Christ, Cross,
Church, Consummation. Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove is right; we should:
“Commit this story to memory. Tell it to your kids. Let is direct your
life.” This is the whole big picture, coherent and clear.

You
see, Gladding–a creative-type church planter with shaved head and cool
goatee whose church has some ridiculously-cool-sounding name and who
hails from New Zealand–has done what should have been down long ago for
adults. Like we do with kid’s Bibles, he has retold the story, in
novel-esque form, to be read out loud. You can imagine the campfire as
the elders tell these stories of God’s people, and you can feel the
sadness as they lament in exile, and you can experience the spectacular
excitement as the new covenant community is formed as followers of
Christ in the period of Second Temple Judaism. Alan Hirsh says it is
“as artful as it is significant” and anyone who needs a fresh way to
tell the old, old story—a fresh way to be gathered up into the old,
old story—will find this interesting, provocative, and challenging.
Nothing like it that we know of; highly recommended, happily honored.
Yeah! Kudos to the “Likewise” imprint for their consistently
innovative, contemporary, and faithful books such as this.

Out of Babylon
Walter Brueggemann (Abingdon) $15.00 Here is Brueggemann at his
quintessential best, preaching passionately, basing everything on key
Bible texts, inviting us to–evoking among us to ability to–see
connections between this persistent question, that pervades Walter’s
scholarly and pastoral work, and remains among us, pressing: how do we
live faithfully in the world but not of it and how do we relate to the
empires around us? Marva Dawn says that “Brueggemann is stunningly
brilliant here. Besides surveying most of the First Testament prophets
to show the relationship between the contemporary Church to the metaphor
of “Babylon” this volume takes some surprising turns and gives us fresh
directions. Out of Babylon is a must for all
Christians!” Or, as Shane Claiborne puts it, Brueggemann has been a
steadfast voice in the wilderness “daring us to say no to the empire but
to say yes to another world….these are the songs of Zion.” If you
think that some religious comments about consumerism or violence or
oppression are a bit thin, try this. It will help you understand the
Scriptures, and base your life upon their vision of being faithful in
exile, and hoping for the promise of Home.

The Gospel of John: When Loves Comes to Town
Paul Louis Metzgar (IVP) $18.00 This is a new series cooked up by the
genius editors at IVP and they surely picked a top shelf cultural critic
and social activist to lead off the set. The Resonate Series is going
to be a set of Bible commentaries that offer contemporary exegesis,
struggling with the text and context, with the Word and the world. That
is, they hope to recover ancient Biblical wisdom as it resonates with
today’s setting, today’s urgent needs, and the pressing concerns of our
postmodern culture. Leonard Sweet—an amazingly generative Bible
scholar when he puts himself to it— wrote the forward and very solid,
hip pastor Rick McKinley (Imago Dei) wrote an afterward. Metzgar, for
those that care, is involved in an institute at Multnomah Bible College,
is friends with John Perkins, and has a recent Wipf & Stock
release, a collection of brilliant articles and sermons called New Wine Tastings: Theological Essays of Cultural Engagement. He is shaking up the city of Portland, I’m told, and is a wonderfully energetic and fruitful theologian.

Here,
he walks us through the gospel of John, inviting these stories and
texts to show us how to be lovers of God, friends of the friendless, and
what it means for “love to rise again in our midst and in our lives.”
Reliable evangelical scholars such as James Houston (Regent College,
Vancouver) and Wheaton College’s Gary Burge have endorsed this, and
commend it as an ideal work for students or anyone interested in fresh,
relevant Bible commentary with a view to faithful, wholistic
discipleship. What an idea (I say with a tiny bit of sarcasm…) I
think that there is nothing quite like it in this format. While it
isn’t quite like the “anti-commentary commentary” which I often suggest,
Colossians Remixed (by Keesmaat & Walsh) When Loves Comes to Town has a bit more punch than your traditional exegetical resource. And any gospel commentary that takes a song from Rattle & Hum–a
duet between Bono and B.B. King–has got to be great! Resonate.
Indeed. It deserves a special commendation of one of the best ideas in
the Christian publishing world of 2010. Now if we can just get folks
aware of it, and eager to study.

Dwelling With Philippians: A Conversation with Scripture Through Image and Word
edited by Elizabeth Steele Halstead, Paul Detterman, Joyce Borger,
& John D. Witvliet (Eerdmans) $21.99 We list this an example of one
of the year’s best commentaries, and it is best in part because it is so
creatively done, artful, colorful; rich and warm and thoughtful. As
you may know from our previous reviews of it, this is more of a
meditation than a Greek exegesis, and it is informed mostly by visual
artwork–there is both classic, and contemporary full color art on
almost every page. This is not just a lavish coffee table book, though,
as it is designed as a companion to your study of this joy-filled and
important New Testament prison letter. Tons of photos, prints of
classic and contemporary artworks, some poetry, classy graphic design,
and hymn texts are set beside evocative commentary and reflection
questions. Nothing like it in print. Truly award winning and deserving
of a lovely standing ovation.

NEW BOOKS I MOST ENJOYED THIS YEAR

I
could put more in this category, and many of the above surely go into
this list of honorable mentions. I just loved that Bill Kauffman book,
and so enjoyed the memoirs, say. Still, a couple spring to mind that,
well, I just loved for the sheer fun of reading them.

The Next Christians: How a New Generation Is Restoring the Faith (The Good News About the End of Christian America)
Gabe Lyons (Doubleday) $19.99 This deserves a number of awards, I’d
say, so I’ll be right up front: I enjoyed this very, very much, in part
because it so refreshingly told the stories of the shift in attitudes
among younger generations of evangelical Christians, rooted in a rather
wholistic and narrative approach to the full gospel of God’s coming
Kingdom. Some might quibble that his evidence for this shift is mostly
anecdotal, but this dude surely has his finger on the pulse of the
rising leaders, and travels around in interesting circles in ways that
few of us can even imagine. I know that Gabe is sharp and theologically
savvy, he’s solid and desiring to be faithful and effective as he
articulates the new vision growing under our noses. He is saying stuff
in exciting ways, but (if I may humbly submit) it is a perspective that
some of us have been hard at work speaking, conferencing, teaching,
selling books, and working towards for decades. In this savvy cool guy, I
see a true leader with a solid vision. You can’t imagine how thrilled
and relieved I am to see his work.

The first half of the book is a
great overview of the fading realities of old school fundamentalism and
the increasing irrelevance of the culture wars of earlier evangelicals
(not to mention earlier mainline liberals.) As America has drifted from
whatever religious cultural consensus it once had, the young adults of
today are not offended by the drift; indeed, in many ways, it is all
they have ever known. As they read the Bible in more big-picture
narrative ways, they get the broader sweep of the relationship between
missional vision and daily discipleship. They are eager to be of
service, to be active and authentic, pushing back against the bad
reputation of the church (so well documented in the work Gabe
co-authored a few years ago, Unchristian.) As evangelical
ministries, mainline churches, religious book and curriculum publishers,
Christian music industry types, para-church campus ministers,
denominational executives and others try to get their bearings on the
millennial generation that is now rising to adult leadership—the class
of 2000 is approaching 30 years old!—this guidebook to the shift is
essential, brief, inspiring reading.

â€¨The book really takes off
in the second half, with a set of theologically vital impulses that Gabe
says—and shares stories about—is happening these days. Younger
Christians, while passionate about God and serious about theology
[aside: if your church is not, it is no wonder you have no young adults
in attendance!] they are also taking their faith into the streets in
refreshing, creative ways. Here are the images he offers of what makes
the “restorers” (as he calls them) somewhat different that their
forebears. The Next Christians are those who, while
committed to a Biblical worldview, are “provoked, not offended”,
“creators, not critics”, “called, not employed”, “grounded, not
distracted”, “in community, not alone”, and “counter-cultural, not
trying to be relevant.” This is, Lyons insists, a “new era” and we must
follow this next big shift. That authors and thought leaders as
different as Phyllis Tickle and Chuck Colson, Os Guinness and Rob Bell,
Margaret Fienberg and Scott McKnight, all endorse this guy and his
vibrant networking ministry, is telling. He is a leader to watch, a man
to read, a person to follow. We are honored to call him a friend,
eager to celebrate his work, honest about awarding this as one of the
best books I’ve read all year. Best because I so loved and enjoyed it,
best because I hope others read it, and receive its significant insight,
and best because, well, I agree with it. Sam Rodreiguez of the
National Hispanic Leadership Conference says it will help us “embrace
change as we welcome a fresh move of the Spirit.

Ms Tickle says there are “a thousand reasons to rejoice here.” Let us give you one more reason: they released a stellar Next Christians DVD curriculum to go with it, not unlike the great Q Society Room
DVDs that we raved about last year (all which are produced by and
hosted by Lyons.) There is a provocative and useful study book to use,
and this five week DVD covers much of the material in the book. I
cannot recommend it more strongly, for anyone interested in fruitful and
faithful cultural engagement, for anyone who wants the “big picture” of
shifts in evangelical faith, and anyone who may want a window into the
work of some of the younger leaders rising in the next generation of
serious Christians. Whether you are a mainline denominational person or a
conservative independent church, whether you are a next generation
student yourself, or a para-church leader, this book will be useful for
you. I took great joy in reading it and in writing about it.

Commitment: A Love Story Elizabeth Gilbert (Penguin) $16.00 I’ll admit that Beth and I both loved Gilbert’s mega-seller Eat Pray Love,
and really, really enjoyed her wispy and clever writing style. I think
she is really good at evoking images, turning a surprising phrase, and
coming up with an unexpected idea or shift in a paragraph. She is witty
and funny with something of substance to report. That is, she’s a very
good writer, and I would argue that line by line with anyone who
disagrees. Her new book—the long awaited sequel to EPL wherein
she has to figure out if she wants to marry again (she doesn’t) and
what she will do since the Homeland Security people seem intent on
keeping her dear Brazilian lover out of the country.

Yes, according to the government, they have to get married if
they want to stay together and live in her American home. A scholar’s
pursuit of the history and meaning of marriage ensues, she writes as
they hole up in this country or that, and as their relationship deepens,
their struggle to find happiness unfolds—two steps forward, one step
back, or worse– and Gilbert learns all manner of interesting things
about the sociology of matrimony. She plays the role of an
anthropologist field worker, with notebook and heart in hand. It is
serious and it is personal. She has to figure it out.

Look, I
don’t think she gets that all right, and I’m not suggesting her sexual
ethics are particularly Biblical, although she is pretty wise about most
things and I stand with most of her conclusions. This is a warm,
wonderfully written, smart and very interesting book, loaded with
fascinating interviews with people about their marriages, from Hmong
tribeswoman in rural Cambodia to very old women she knows who are
friends of friends, including, then, truly wonderful stuff about her own
family’s colorful history. My, my, neither Beth nor I could put this
down, and we read portions out loud to each other, for the sheer joy of
the writing, the importance of the topic, and the thrill of learning
something new about how humans have fairly or unfairly woven together
this fabric they call married life. They’ve changed the subtitle now
that the paperback is just out; in hardcover it was subtitled “A Skeptic
Makes Peace with Marriage.” We are happy to award this a Book of the
Year kiss, and eager to hear if others enjoyed it as much as we did.

Rock and Roll Will Save Your Soul: A Book By and for the Fanatics Among Us
Steve Almond $23.00   Well, if some may find troubling our appreciation
for a less than Christianly considered look at marriage (see above), I
may offend even more still with this effort at a literary Grammy award
to a book, as I’ve said about a novel of his, that I “hate to love.”
This author—as I have said as I’ve commented upon other books of his
over the years—is a personal favorite. His Candy Freak, about
his obsession with the sweet stuff, is an all time great, clever and
insightful and more powerful than you’d imagine! I love his style, I
appreciate so much about his way with words and think at his heart he
writes with some sort of moral center. I understand, if not fully
resonating with, some of his view of things, and he captures almost in
caricature the urbane angst of the ubber-hip, jaded Gen X literary type.
True to form—and it is too often the case here—he is needlessly
vulgar, at times offensively so. Still, despite those occasional ugly
transgressions, and a bunch of merely, uh, vivid phrases, this book was a
true delight for me, and one I immediately gave to a couple of
music-loving friends.

If you have not been obsessed with albums
and artists; if you haven’t longed to convert others to the records of
your passion, if you haven’t dreamed of—or, in my case, actually
engaged in–stalking certain rock stars, well, then just skip this
sucker. Most of you aren’t fanatics, so you won’t care—unless maybe
you know one, and are trying to figure him or her out. There is some
very insightful stuff about how music can give voice to our deepest
concerns (why some adolescent boys love heavy metal, for instance) and
in one very moving section tells of how a person he knows well, a young
woman, was literally brought out of a hellish mess of a life by her
attention to hard rock. This is an odd book, mostly narrative by Almond
the Fanatic, but a bit of serious music criticism and some inspiring
stuff about rock artists he’s come to know. Still, it isn’t for
everyone. But if you are beyond the pale when it comes to your musical
obsessions, and don’t mind carrying around a book with the blasphemous
cover (I took the dusk jacket off), then I believe this book will make
you smile, and smile very deeply and with an awareness that you are not
alone in your dedication to serious contemporary music. It will make
you appreciate obsession, wonder why pop music means so much to so many
of us, and will touch your rock and roll heart in places that only a
good mix tape really could One of my personal favorite books of the
year. Beth? Not so much.

Wisdom Chaser: Finding My Father at 14,000 Feet
Nathan Foster (IVP) $16.00 I suppose there are a dozen reasons why a
reader is attracted to a book, and I admit that this is a no-brainer. I
was on a rare trip to Colorado, hanging around a gazing at the very
fourteeners described in this riveting memoir of mountain-climbing, a
faith lost and found, and the reconciliation of an estranged father and
son. My own son is a rock climber, so it reminded me of him a bit.
Nathan is the son of Richard Foster, a man I’ve met and admired, and to
hear of Richard’s clueless neglect of his hurting adolescent son was
grueling. Oh the pain inflicted on the children of those in leadership
and ministry! Yet, the drug-addled and religiously cynical (and
surprisingly unaware) young adult son reaches out to his famous,
contemplative dad, and dares him to climb the famous mountain peaks with
him and to somehow find relational reconciliation.

This is a
quickly read and very moving drama of father and son, their love for the
outdoors, their different style of climbing, their joy in the journey,
and importantly, Nathan’s own journey towards an edgy faith of radical
discipleship and solidarity with the abused and hurting teens of his own
sub-culture. (That he now is a professor of social work at a Christian
college sort of makes it sound a bit more tidy than it was, but it was a
hard and painful journey and I’m sure the book only told some of it.
It was plenty realistic and raw, I’d say.) Richard Foster writes a
small afterward, which was good, and the book–and the story it told–
meant tons to me, seeing God’s faithfulness to these men, to see the
hope of healed father-son friendships, and to see God’s call to ministry
upon them both. And those mountains? Seeing them took my breath away,
and did give the book a certain visceral wallop. Still, I bet you’d
enjoy it, no matter where you read it. A book I couldn’t stop talking
about for weeks.

BEST BOOKS ON SPIRITUALITY

Common Prayer: Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals
compiled by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove & Enuma
Okoro (Zondervan) $24.95 I hope you consider reading my longer review
of this from last November; we we were thrilled to announce it, to be
among the first stores to get behind it, and to be asked by Shane and
the The Simple Way community to handle some of the sales to “release
parties” that prayed with this resource the week it was launched. There
were candles lit and songs sung and food and silence and celebration
and all manner of conspiring for goodness, and prayer books from Hearts
& Minds were there.

Common Prayer is a
large-sized prayer book, with some moving woodcuts (that bring to mind
the Catholic Worker) and music and prayers and litanies and feast days
for alternative heroes, prayers for various occasions (including house
blessings, new babies, times of grief, prayers for sexual purity and for
loneliness and for preparation for social justice work, etc.) There
are sidebars that help you learn about the liturgical practices of fixed
hour prayer and some good (if brief) guidance on why radical, missional
“new monastic” faith communities need to root their social activism to
the ancient ways of ecumenical prayer. I must admit that while we were
fully enthused about this, the book itself—and the promotion of
it—left us with a grand sense of gladness, happy that Zondervan took
the risk to publish a liturgical prayer book aimed at those who, most
likely, aren’t used to purchasing such a resource. Shane and Jonathan
wrote a good book on prayer drawing on the desert fathers and mothers a
year ago, so this came as no surprise, really, but it still is an
extraordinary publishing event, and is even better than we expected.
Kudos all around. Thanks be to God.

Wisdom of Stability: Rooting Faith in a Mobile Culture
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (Paraclete Press) $14.99 Again, I reviewed
this when it first came out, and we are thrilled to suggest it to you
once again. It is handsomely made, nicely written, and offers a happy
blend of story, theology, the history of folks like the desert fathers
and mothers, and makes a case that praying locally is better than
globe-hopping, nomadic restlessness. Although this is a book of
spiritual formation, it is like few others in it has this parallel theme
of being involved in ordinary ways in one’s neighborhood; it wouldn’t
be fair to say it is the kind of book Wendel Berry would write if he did
this kind of book, I suppose, but that may suggest why we love it so.
We need roots, a sense of place, and a spirituality that commends us to
God and each other. This is very nicely done, wise and useful. A
gracious forward by Kathleen Norris is lovely, and adds value to the
book. Brief and clear, with some great stories of his own neighborhood
and household, this is one of the best quiet books of the year.

Spiritual Rhythm: Being With Jesus Every Season of Your Soul Mark
Buchannan (Zondervan) $17.99 There are books of deep spirituality that
may be richer than this, and there are some that are more mystical and
esoteric. But for ordinary saints of God, those struggling with the
inevitable ups and downs of life under the sun, this is a gem of a
resource, beautifully written, wise and practical. It isn’t difficult,
and it isn’t overly complex. Yet, there is a maturity here, a
thoughtful sense of God’s presence in different ways over different
seasons of our lives. Are you in a harsh winter? A renewing Spring?
Are there deaths and loss or hope and blue skies? Our formation in the
ways of Christ and our inner spirituality will take shape influenced by
these predicaments and Buchannan guides us as a wise director, as a
seasoned pastor, and a good friend. There is wonderful prose, fine
citations of important authors, fun and inspiring stories, and some very
helpful exercises to draw upon during different “seasons” of your soul.
We have commended this good author before, and applaud his increasing
fame. We hope our award helps others know that he is a guy worth
reading, an author we care about. This book, especially, is a real
blessing, delightful and true.

HONORABLE MENTION FOR FOSTERING EVANGELICAL SELF-REFLECTION

Routes & Radishes–And Other Things to Talk About at the Evangelical Crossroads
Mark Russell, Allen Yeh, Michelle Sanchez, Chelle Stearns, Dwight
Friesen (Zondervan) $22.99 This is a fantastic and creatively packaged
volume which has five voices, in clear dialogue and discussion, about
the nature and future of evangelicalism. The youthful, multi-cultural
mix of men ad women is itself a large indication of something—this
ain’t Billy Graham or Tony Campolo or John Piper. Their “future’s so
bright I gotta wear shades” allusion on the back cover is a hoot, and,
again, this is an important sign. More importantly, though, these are
solid thinkers, vibrant missional servants, Kingdom people who are
serious about theology, engaged in culture, well-read, and eager to, in
the words of Trinity Evangelical theology prof, Dr. Simon Chan,
“envision a form of Evangelicalism which is self-critical, richly
nuanced, and ecumenically aware. If this is the Evangelicalism of the
future, there is reason to be hopeful.”

I hope you get the
allusion of the title. Routes, of course has to do with the paths we
may go; radishes are deeply rooted things. Clever, eh? There is
friendly disagreement about both the past and the future here, and the
format offers this good back and forth, with a serious intention about
being faithful and fruitful, even in our shifting, complex times. The
conversation partners are all quite sharp, and well worth hearing out.
Yey (DPhil from Oxford) is a prof of History and Theology at Biola;
Sanchez (MDiv, ThM from Gordon-Conwell) is pastor of Christian Formation
at Highrock Covenant Church; Mark Russell (PhD Asbury) is a former
missionary and cofounder of Russell Media; Chelle Stearns (PhD,
University of St Andrews) is Assistant Professor of Theology at Mars
Hill Graduate School in Seattle, and Dwight Friesen (DMin George Fox) is
an ordained pastor, internet guru, and Associate Professor of Practical
Theology, also at Mars Hill Graduate School.) Man, these kids are
smart and influential. This deserves a bundle of awards, and we are
happy to commend it as a very important conversation, and a rich tool
for further discussion, reflection, and your own participation.

BEST NEW BOOK ON ANABAPTISM

The Naked Anabaptist: The Bare Essentials of a Radical Faith
Stuart Murray (Herald Press) $13.99 Okay, this is an odd little
category, since I don’t award the best book on Lutheran or Anglican or
Methodist studies. Well, if any such tradition had a
exceptionally-readable, all new, very exciting and truly popular release
that sets the barre for such work, I’d create an award just for them.
This is a fantastic release—done a year or so ago in England and now
happily released by the Mennonite Publishing House here in
Pennsylvania. We stock nearly everything they release, but this is
extraordinary. The rave reviews on the back are from Brian McLaren (an
ecumenical emergent leader), Tom Sine (a global futurist with
Presbyterian connections) and Shane Claiborne, an evangelical “new
monastic” activist. Neither are anabaptists themselves, but mostly
likely all have been shaped by the likes of Yoder et al. Murray is an
urban church planter, known in the newer missional circles, and a very
thoughtful writer. This attempts to offer the best of the anabaptist
core components and practices, stripped perhaps from their Swiss
Brethren or Amish connotations. Can the Christian community at large
learn from an updated, robust look at the radical reformation? I hope
so.

BEST BOOKS ON CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY

Herman Dooyeweerd: Christian Philosopher of State and Civil Society
Jonathan Chaplin (University of Notre Dame) $68.00 Although we stock
some standard philosophy texts and appreciate all sorts of academic
writing, this serious study of the dense philosophy of Dutch scholar
Herman Dooyeweerd simply must be celebrated. It was, after all, the
incisive critique of Western culture’s driving spirits, and the
attention to a Biblically-informed understanding of the
multi-dimensional nature and inter-relationships of things in God’s
world, that emerged from his Chair at the Free University of Amsterdam
in the early parts of the 20th century that inspired a generation of
young fire-brand (mostly Canadian) philosophers in later decades that so
impacted me in my college years. I am not a philosopher and have always
found–surprise, surprise–Dooyeweerdian philosophy to be exceedingly
obtuse, but the spin-off organizations (from the think-tank Cardus and
Comment and the funky e-zine Catapult to Citizens for Public Justice, in
some ways the CCO and the Jubilee conference) continues to gladly stand
in the broad tradition of neo-Calvinist thinkers who have used
Dooyeweerd’s tools to reformingly engage culture. This is meaty work,
not for those with only a passing interest, but it is well written,
helpful in explaining this unique Reformed philosophy, with an emphasis,
as the subtitle suggests, on law and politics. The best book about H.D.
and his philosophy that has yet been done and very important in these
times of renewed interest in the deepest answers to our largest cultural
and policy questions. Dr. Chaplin is director of the Kirby Laing
Institute for Christian Ethics, Cambridge, England.

Thinking in Tongues: Pentecostal Contributions to Christian Philosophy James K. A. Smith (Eerdmans) $19.00 Smith has had a prolific year, what with the already awarded Letters to a Young Calvinist, and his co-editing one of the more serious, scholarly books on the philosophy of science in a long time—Science and the Spirit: A Pentecostal Engagement with the Sciences
(Indiana University Press, 2010.) Yes, Neo-Calvinist Smith is also a
Pentecostal and is doing much to advance the unique contributions of a
Pentecostal worldview to the academy, as the science collection
indicates. Thinking in Tongues is a new book which
is just that– a serious study of how Pentecostal insights and
impulses, faith and practice, shape the very ways in which he does his
philosophy. Wow.

Thinking In Tongues–besides
being deserving of an award for the wit and clarity of the
title–deserves honorable mention not only because it is so pioneering,
but because it is so darn interesting. I am not averse to the Holy
Spirited gift of speaking in tongues, and I swear that at times I was so
thrilled with this little academic text that I felt something coming
on; at least something like inexplicably deep joy. How does being a
Pentecostal scholar inform epistemology, ontology, the philosophy of
language,and the rest? Chapter by chapter, Professor Smith walks us
through deep philosophical waters, noting how his charismatic worldview
has shaped his technical work as a reformational philosopher. The lead
chapter, sort of a “letter to a Pentecostal philosopher” is a gem, and
his insight is potent for anyone doing philosophy in these postmodern
days. If this book isn’t deserving of some accolades, I don’t know what
it. If you are at all interested in the radical ways faith informs
scholarship, or if you are at all interested in the diversity of ways
and means to explore academic philosophy, or if you are at all
interested in how Pentecostals might engage the deepest questions of
life, this book is for you. Spread the word.

BEST SERIES COMPLETED IN 2010

What
a fun and important category, and there were several completed this
year—such as the notably hefty and very serious four-volume set called
The Theology of Lordship by John M. Frame (Presbyterian &
Reformed.) My pick for a winner is a tie, so I will honor two happily
complete sets. Two very different sorts of writing, but two that our
readers will surely want to join us in celebrating. One is an
eight-book series that was introduced just last year, each book by a
different author; the other is a five-book series that started maybe
more than 5 years ago, with each volume written by the same esteemed
writer. And our honorees are…drum roll, please.

Ancient Future series on Spiritual Practices
edited by Phyllis Tickle (Thomas Nelson) $12.95 each. You may have
seen our recent description (and sale price) of these interesting,
ecumenical resources, each by a different contemporary author, on
practices such as receiving Eucharist, praying fixed hour prayers,
following the liturgical calendar, keeping sabbath, tithing, fasting,
and going on pilgrimage. I hope you read that review if you didn’t as I
found something commendable about each one. The first, Finding Our Way Again,
lays out the beauty, spirituality of (and necessity of) doing these
sorts of things, and is a good over-view of the set, setting the tone
and framing the teachings. You can read them pretty much in any order,
I’d say. The new paperback releases, by the way, have brief study guides
at the end of each.

Most readers will appreciate some volumes
more than others–based on the topic or the author–but we think they
are all very worthwhile, quite notable, and want to honor the publisher
for bringing to us this delightful, ecumenical, and rather ambitious
project. Isn’t there some spiritual practice we call showing
gratitude? Honoring others? Yes!

Finding Our Way Again Brian McLaren
In Constant Prayer     Robert Benson
Sabbath                       Dan Allander
The Liturgical Year     Joan Chittister
The Sacred Meal         Nora Gallagher
Fasting                         Scott McKnight
Tithing        Douglas LeBlanc
The Sacred Journey   Charles Foster

A Conversation in Spiritual Theology series
Eugene Peterson (Eerdmans) I have found it difficult to talk about
just one of these remarkable works, and think it best to promote them as
an on-going, unfolding series. In many ways, this represents
Peterson’s magnum opus, although I in no way want to diminish his
stunning books on basic discipleship, his several books of Bible
reflections on the important four-part series on “vocational holiness”
for pastors. We have appreciated and esteemed his books for years.

Still,
this five-volume set may be his most lasting, mature work, deep and
thoughtful spiritual reflections on the theology of daily living,
following Christ in down-to-Earth ways, being shaped along the way in
the ways of Jesus. The one released this year, Practicing Resurrection,
is a study of Ephesians, actually (and the title a reference to a
splendid poem by Wendell Berry.) These wise books deserve to be read
slowly; so far, I’ve read two of them twice and haven’t gotten to them
all; I’m taking my time. I think it best to read them in order,
although not everyone does. All five are all still available in
handsome, uniform hardcovers but the first two are now available in
paperback. Rev. Peterson and his long-time associate Peter Santucii has
produced study
guides for each one ($6.00) which we carry and recommend.

Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places: A Conversation in Spiritual Theology $25.99/$16.99
Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading $20.00/$16.00
Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers $24.00
The Jesus Way: A Conversation on the Ways That Jesus is the Way $22.00
Practicing Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ $24.00

Thanks, everyone, for reading this long and elaborate list. I am afraid
I skipped a few of my favorites–what was I reading nearly a year ago?
Still, I trust you enjoy these suggestions, and hope you continue to
choose your own favorites, honoring authors and publishers and
booksellers who bring the good. Thanks be to God for this great
privilege of having words to read, books to hold, ideas to share. We
couldn’t do what we do if it weren’t for the writers and the industry
who gets us the volumes. Of course, we couldn’t sell them if there
weren’t willing readers. Thanks, one and all.

â€¨â€¨

â€¨â€¨

Posted in Reviews

C.S. Lewis: educational DVDs, books, devotional, Bible and other recent resources

Posted on December 11, 2010 by Byron Borger

December 10th 2010 will mark the opening of the third in the Walden Media, big-Hollywood film versions of the famous and beloved C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.   Oooh, this is going to be a good one, isn’t it? So much to consider, such a tale. And how many preachers or Christian teachers have used the famous and deeply moving scene of Eustace getting the dragony scales removed (and becoming a boy again!) by the painful kindness of Aslan? I’ve heard from reliable sources that this third installment is excellent.

This year has marked also some very important new C.S. Lewis resources, books and audio and–yes–some educational DVDs that are sorely needed, to enhance our appreciation of the great Oxford don.

And appreciate him, we should. For many conservative evangelicals, Lewis has little cache these days, it seems, and they fret about his being too academic or theologically demanding. And maybe too liberal. For many liberal mainline folks–including some I talked to about this just recently–they think he is, well, too demanding. And too conservative. Some days, you know, I just want to smack my head. Or, Lord have mercy, somebody else’s.

I will be the first to admit that not all of Lewis is perfect for everyone. In the brand new book of book reviews which I’ve been talking about this week, Besides the Bible: 100 Books... my friend Susan Isaacs, a smart-as-as-whip Hollywood comedian and funny-as-can-be memoirist (Angry Conversations with God) does the review of N.T. Wright’s spectacular Simply Christian, comparing it to a 21st century Mere Christianity; her explanation of why Wright resonates more than Lewis these days rings true. Although a few other Lewis works are cited in Besides The Bible (A Grief Observed and Lion Witch and the Wardrobe) Mere did not make it. And I think Susan is exactly right: Mere Christianity is not the easiest book to give to seekers these days, and his lock-step logic isn’t as persuasive as it once was. Where college age students, or Christian college professors, used to wave their Lewis around as a badge of honor—we can be orthodox Christians and seriously intellectual–nowadays it is more likely that they will push the impressionistic Donald Miller or the justice-minded Shane Claiborne. It is a sign of the times, and perhaps it is not all bad.

Yet, yet, folks really ought to know Lewis, and know him well. If I were editing the Besides the Bible naming the top 100 books to “create a Christian culture” as the subtitle has it, I’d surely suggest the Weight of Glory. And the devious joys of Screwtape Letters. (And that lightly illustrated, wonderful gift edition gives it an extra punch.) N.T. Wright has said that it was Miracles that allowed him to even imagine the possibilities of the resurrection. Not a few have told us that Till We Have Faces is one of their all time favorite books. The essay “On Learning in Wartime” is often cited about the ways in which we should commit to being serious students, even as the horrors of this world rage. The Abolition of Man is as incisive social criticism (a critic of scientism and bad education) as it was in the 1944. Letters to Malcolm is a sweet study of prayer—thanks to hip-hop fan Schooley for reminding me of how good it is!  The Four Loves is still so often cited (and the audio CD version is actually his voice, the only Lewis audios that are available for purchase.) His Cambridge University Press book An Experiment in Criticism is a classic in the field about how to read texts. His many letters are famous. The wild story about “a bus ride to hell” (The Great Divorce) has tons of provocative insights. And how ’bout that “Space Trilogy?”   And all those pithy lines! All those quotable paragraphs! (Even the edgy, missional The Advent Conspiracy book and DVD draws on his powerful suggestion that we all ought to truly give away our money until we actually feel it, unable to do some things because we’ve been too generous.) Many educated Christians have a favorite passage or two from Lewis. I think we should read him more, follow those who are writing about him, and know the body of work that has grown up around him. A great place to start, in fact, is the great paperback by our friend Art Lindsley who wrote the engaging and helpful C.S. Lewis’ Case for Christ (IVP; $15.00) What a fun and interesting story, teaching how Lewis used reason and imagination in his own journey to a “baptized imagination” and eventual faith in Christ.
Art and our friends at the C.S. Lewis Institute have a nice article about Lewis which is a fine introduction, with links to articles about him, here.

Although it is a matter of some debate among the tribe of serious Lewis fans, most would agree that the very best, most serious, and rewarding biography of Lewis is the much-acclaimed 2008 release, The Narnian written by Alan Jacobs (HarperOne; $14.95.)

Here, then, are a few new resources on Lewis, some quite useful for beginners, others a bit unique for the true fan. The last year or two has seen remarkable new studies, and we hope you consider them—maybe your church library should have them, or a few key titles could be bought by your fellowship group or even your public library. There are some very exciting resources here, and two of them–both new DVD studies— I believe can only be found in a handful of stores nationwide. You know we have the good stuff—read on, my friends, as we go “higher up and further in.”

The C.S. Lewis Bible (New Revised Standard) (HarperOne) $34.99 Okay, might as well start here, the creme de le creme of new Lewisonia product. Yes, this is a serious study Bible, classy, handsome, useful. In a lovely small font the front cover says “For Reading, Reflection and Inspiration” which, I hope, is indeed the point. As we read God’s Word—and the NRSV is very good if you don’t use it regularly—we must reflect and, hopefully, be inspired to greater clarity and obedience. Lewis may not be the final interpreter of Scripture, but he’s a smart and clear thinker,devout and humble. These Lewis quotes and essays and sidebars sprinkled throughout are really quite remarkable, and we’d be happ
y to have folks journey for a year or so through their Bible study with Lewis at their side. There are over 600 readings, culled from his books, essays, and letters. The double-column format is readable with a classic design and there are indexes and concordances (for both Biblical text and the Lewis apparatus.) Rave review endorsements have come from Rowan Williams and Eugene Peterson and Richard Foster and J. I. Packer. Lewis experts (like Salwa Khoddam of the Inklings Society, have given it a thumbs-up as well.) I think this is just about the coolest release of the year, and I am sure you know somebody who would love it. They may not even know they’d love it (which is where you come in, naturally.) Three cheers. No, wait, when you see the pairing of insight and text, Bible and Lewis, you’ll give three more cheers. Hip, hip, hurray, or whatever those reserved Brits would have said, pubbing at the Eagle and the Child. This is great!

Inside the Voyage of the Dawn Treader: A Guide to Exploring the Journey Beyond Narnia Devin Brown (Baker) $12.99 This is a fine, fine book, and the only one committed to exploring the Dawn Treader book. Yes, this really will help you understand the book, talk about the movie, and learn to “discover the far reaches of Narnia.”

Listen to this great bit by Michael Flaherty of Walden Media

If Edmund were to finally receive a belated gift from Father Christmas, he would be lucky if it were a copy of my good friend Devin Brown’s book. Like Lewis, Devin is someone who adores great stories and effortlessly weaves them throughout his book. As a result, upon finishing Devin’s book the reader is hungry not only to read more of Lewis, but to read more great literature. This book will surely be banned at Experiment House.

â€¨â€¨Mr. Brown is a Lilly Scholar and a professor of English at Asbury University. He is the author of the wonderful Inside Narnia and Inside Prince Caspian, which, of course, we also stock.

The Lion, the Mouse and the Dawn Treader: Spiritual Lessons from C.S. Lewis’ Narnia Carl McColman (Paraclete) $14.99 Do you seek the “radiant light of the silver sea”? Does it even choke you up to ask, to hear the invitation? This is a brief, but serious exploration of Lewis’ story, indeed, but it is more. The author is a bit of a character, himself, a former new age spiritualist, who discovered the reality of the risen Christ by his study of Celtic spirituality. Ahh, ahh, what a journey. And what a fine person to do a book like this, weaving deep truths from ancient writers (he has also edited The Big Book of Christian Mysticism) relating them to the popular Narnia stories. Popular Jesuit writer James Martin says it is “Playful, provocative and profound.” Pretty good for an Irishman, eh?

The back cover notes that Dawn Treader is built around the Christian journey:

from resisting God’s grace to discovering the reality of sin to finding relief in the waters of baptism. This voyage,for Christians of all ages, if full of adventures, temptation, discomforting silence, dealing with “Dufflepuds” (distractions) and a final terrifying journey to the “Island of Darkness” (the dark night of the soul.) As the Dawn Treader sails beyond where the stars sing, you will discover a world of wonders characterized by light and clarity, and encounter Aslan—Christ—himself.

I love the quote by Trina Paulus, author of the old classic Hope for the Flowers, who wrote “You can touch the hole journey of the Christian search for God–and likely be spurred toward renewal in your own life—by getting on this Narnian ship.” McColman brings a commonplace, yet mystical tone to this, and while it is playful, he gets at some profound stuff in ways that many Lewis interpreters do not. Chalk it up to his Celtic insight; he sees Narnia as the “thin place” which it surely is. Very interesting, accessible, and inviting.

A Year with Aslan: Daily Reflections from the Chronicles of Narnia (HarperOne) $22.99 What a great, great, idea! Why haven’t we thought of this before?? This is a compact-sized hardback, handsome as can be, with 365 excerpts from various Narnian episodes, all that feature the grace and goodness, fearsomeness and felicity of the great Lion. What more can we say? For anyone who has seen the movie just recently, or for anyone who once loved the stories—parents, remember reading these out loud to your youngsters? We sincerely this would make a great, great gift. Give this as a gift, keep one on hand, dip in to it as you can. It will be a keeper, one to use as a reference to look up that ill-remembered line) or as a true devotional, drawing strength as it points you to the Christ. There are thought-provoking questions to consider each day, as well, giving it even more value. Very nicely done.

DVD The Question of God: Sigmund Freud & C.S. Lewis with Dr. Armand Nicholi (PBS Home Video; $34.99) and Conversations on the Question of God Study Guide by Bill Smith (C.S. Lewis Institute, Atlanta; $12.00) We cannot tell you how interesting this whole project is and how thrilled we are that the good folks at the CSLI, Atlanta, invited us to stock this study book they lovingly prepared. You may know the New York Times best-seller The Question of God: C.S. Lewis and Sigmund Freud Debate God, Love, Sex, and the Meaning of Life by Harvard Medical School professor Armand M. Nicholi (The Free Press; $15.99.) It so insightfully compared and contrasted the worldviews, assumptions and subsequent views of the meaning of things between these two classic thinkers that PBS made a quirky, creative docudrama based upon it. (No, Lewis and Freud never really met, but as the Boston Globe review exclaimed, this sure makes you wish they had!)   The book is great, and the DVD fascinating. It is good for anyone wanting to learn about the “differences differences make” and who wants to examine not only the truth-claims of these representative thinkers but wanting to know how best to defend a Christian perspective in conversation with others. We’ve stocked the book and DVD since they came out a few years back.

Enter Bill Smith, founder of On The Way Ministries and Director of t
he Atlanta C. S. Lewis Institute, who then did a wonderful study guide for the DVD drama, helping us consider how it helps sort through the many issues raised by this remarkable PBS piece. Dr. Nicholi’s
Question of God: Lewis and Freud Harvard class has a waiting list, I’m told, and he only offers it about every three years at Harvard Med. The book is sheer genius, and the DVD adaptation is truly interesting, so we can now essentially audit this popular Harvard class! How cool is that?!. But the study guide—ahh, that’s the ticket!   Bill Smith’s 9-week resource is an excellent tool to launch your own study of Christian convictions, and how the Christian vision of Lewis can hold up in contrast to the inherent confusions, foibles, implications, and dangers of the contemporary views. We stock the regular Question of God book, of course. We especially recommend the DVD and study guide. (The carefully designed study guide, again, is for the PBS DVD, not exactly the book itself.) Watch the DVD, use the thorough and interesting study guide, alone or, better, in a group. It is ideal for study groups, home Bible studies, adult Sunday school classes, a weekend retreat, even.

Bill Smith is a capable Lewis scholar and a gifted teacher about apologetics in the modern and post-modern world. His passion to allow Lewis to speak to our generation drew him to the DVD, and his Biblically-sound leadership and teaching skills enabled him to create this first-class, useful study resource. What a clever and creative way to explore contemporary apologetics. What an important topic, to see how Christian conviction relates to the ideas of contemporary culture, influenced, as they are, by Freud and company. What a fun way to be reintroduced to the persuasive power of C.S. Lewis, and learn his own ways of expressing Christian truth in ways that are solid and clear.

When ordering, please specify if you want the book, the DVD, or the Bill Smith Conversations on the Question of God Study Guide. As always, call about quantity discounts for group use.

DVD The C.S. Lewis Study Program: Mere Christianity Dr. Chris Mitchell (C.S Lewis Institute, Washington, DC) $19.99 I cannot tell you how many times we have been asked here at the shop for a resource to walk readers through the logic and analogies and teachings of Lewis’ most influential work, Mere Christianity. Here—fife and drum roll, please—at long last, we have not only a good, but a truly exceptional aid. This is the answer to that question I wish we’ve had decades ago. This new DVD is a great, great release, and we are exuberant to finally be able to make such a resource available. If you love Lewis, you will know what I mean when I say this is precious, holy, life-changing material And if you do not, but wonder what all the fuss is about, this may be the perfect entry.

In this four-part DVD set, Lewis scholar Chris Mitchell, Director of the respected Wade Center at Wheaton College, uses his great knowledge and good communication skills to ably present a stunning set of lectures on Lewis, literally reading through Mere Christianity paragraph by paragraph. As you may know, Lewis was a master at a building an argument, making a case, and following his logic is itself a tremendous intellectual exercise. (Use this study program just for that, if you want—your brain and our culture will thank you if you learn to think more clearly and care more deeply!) But learning to think well is only half of the fun: Lewis helps us learn to think after God, to seek truth and follow Christ with proper confidence. And, again, as you may know, much of Mere Christianity explores the implications of the Christian faith for living the good life, for morals and ethics and meaning. Knowing what we believe and why we believe it, is essential. Knowing how to live out our convictions with joy in the real world is equally so.

C.S. Lewis is, for a whole variety of reasons, one of the chief thinkers whom God has used to ignite several generations of vital leaders in our lifetime. Here, you can learn why. Get a paperback copy of Mere Christianity (being prepared to mark it up) and follow along in this excellent, jam-packed, DVD lectures. Delightfully, the CSLI, wanting this to be a truly useful tool for individuals or groups, hired an experienced small group discussion guide writer, so there is a handy and valuable discussion booklet in each DVD case as well. The lessons are about 45 minutes, by the way, so most adult education classes in churches would find this a perfect class elective.â€¨â€¨ The C.S. Lewis Study Program: Mere Christianity DVD comes handsomely packaged, in a compact, zippered case, which comes in a handsome slipcase. It would make a great gift. The lectures are crisp and illuminating. The study guide is useful and a real asset. Of course the real value, though, is in the truth of Lewis’ claims, his call for a mere kind of basic Christianity, the essence of faith in the truth of Jesus Christ. Do you know this central core of faith? Do you wish you could explain it better to others? Do you wish you had a little of the famous Lewis logic, wit, and imagination? Spend a few weeks being stimulated with this one-of-a-kind curriculum. We think you will be glad you did. Note that the $19.95 price is an introductory one and may be going up.

Restoring Beauty: The Good, The True, and the Beautiful in the Writings of C.S. Lewis Louis Markos (Biblica) $19.99 I suppose this could be a generic title to any good book about Lewis, but, trust me, this is precisely what this book is about and Dr. Markos—he holds the Robert Ray Chair in Humanities at Houston Baptist University—is the perfect scholar to do it. He is renowned (in a very small circle of appreciative ancient literature geeks) for his breathtakingly good book From Achilles to Christ which explores why Christians should read the ancient Greek classics.)   This is a passionate study of the ways our culture has devalued truth and beauty and while one need not agree with all of his cultural criticism, he brings Lewis’ insights into the contemporary debates about good and evil. Fascinating.

The book concludes with an updating of the letters of Screwtape and what Satan’s temptation tactics have been since the 1960s, There is a detailed bibliographical essay about some of Lewis’ books and some of the best books about him. Very intere
sting and very helpful.

By the way, last year, Markos released Lewis Agonistes: How C.S. Lewis Can Train Us to Wrestle with the Modern and Postmodern World (B&H Books; $19.99) which was a superb study of how Lewis might speak to today’s intellectual milieu. I was fond of that little book, without agreeing with it all, and it is a great resource for those interested in Lewis, apologetics and developing a Christian sensibility about our complicated times.

C.S. Lewis as Philosopher: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty edited by David Baggett, Gary Habermas, and Jerry Walls (IVP) $23.00   There are five or six lucid, deep, academic pieces around each of these themes. Some big names show up—Peter Kreeft, Jean Bethke Elshtain even Antony Flew, and a few of the papers delivered have Latin in the title. Just saying. But this volume really is a very comprehensive survey of many of the big philosophical issues that can be explored in Lewis’ light. From his “argument from reason” to the “problem of hell and enjoyment of good” to matters of theodicy, these authors are doing some very heavy lifting. Very impressive scholarly collection and a good example of how some philosophers are mining Lewis’ work, even today, with new and important insight.

A Sword Between the Sexes: C.S. Lewis and the Gender Debates Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen (Brazos) $19.99 We have written a bit about this before, and promoted it anywhere we can. We like this author and we find the topic fascinating and important. This has been the most discussed volume of recent Lewis studies in years, it seems, and it has been both lauded, appreciated, and severely criticized. John Hare of Yale Divinity School says, bluntly, “This book is an eye-opener.” Christine Pohl weighs in, noting that “a keen intellect and a rich academic background are necessary in tackling a substantive study of Lewis and gender, and Mary Stewart Van Leeuwen brings those resources and much more to her work.” Van Leeuwen is a Reformed, evangelical feminist, and a professor in the study of gender, psychology and the social sciences at Eastern University. As Diane Marshal of the Institute of Family Living puts it, “I highly recommend this book for all Christians–male and female–who desire a richer awareness of our essential unity and communion as persons.” Not a bad idea, eh?   Highly recommended.

Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis Michael Ward (Oxford University Press) $18.99 Well, if Sword Between the Sexes gently deconstructs both Lewis and the standard assumptions about Lewis, helping us see some truly new aspects of Lewis’ life and teaching, the biggest conversation–causing nearly a paradigm shift in Lewis studies—came a few years ago when the British scholar Michael Ward released his very innovative (and to many, very compelling) book of new insight about what the Chronicles of Narnia really mean, and what they were based upon. Planet Narnia, now out in paperback, explains how Lewis, medieval scholar that he was, drew upon a middle ages view of the essence of each of the seven planets, with each of the Narnian tales related to that planet’s meaning. The author is confident that Lewis crafted his book in even finer detail and complexity than most of us knew. This takes none of the overtly Christian thinking out of the Chronicles, but it does refract them through this medieval cosmological lens, which, in many ways, makes them even more theologically imaginative and compelling. If this intrigues you but you don’t want to wade through this seminal masterpiece, try the brand new, popular level adaptation, The Narnia Code: C.S. Lewis and the Secret of the Seven Heavens (Tyndale House; $13.99.) The title makes it sound a bit sensational, but I, for one, am glad for this thinner version that makes this provocative case for ordinary readers, and helps us see how “the heavens declare” the glory of God. Love Narnia? Curious about what Lewis intentionally did or didn’t weave into his fables? You’ve got to read this! Here is the publisher’s page about it, including a short interview with Ward. Wow.

C.S. Lewis on the Final Frontier: Science and the Supernatural in the Space Trilogy Sanford Schwartz (Oxford University Press) $27.95 I know it is a bit pricey, but if Alan Jacobs says, as he does, that this is “certainly the best book yet on Lewis’ science fiction” then you should know. And get it. These 3 novels are not appreciated enough amongst us, and there isn’t much written about them, so we are thrilled to commend this excellent book. It is fairly serious, but the title alone reveals the authors clever use of words and phrases. Very well done. For many years, by the way, we have been fond of the very good Planets in Peril: A Critical Study of C.S. Lewis Ransom Trilogy by central Pennsylvania Lewis scholar, David C. Downing (University of Massachusetts Press; $21.95) and remain glad that it is still available. Downing has several good books on Lewis and we recommend them all, and stock them routinely. His lovely hardback book on the mystical spirituality of Lewis called Into the Region of Awe (IVP; $20.00) is superb, and Into the Wardrobe (Jossey Bass; $14.95) his overview of the Narnia stories is solid. He even has a new novel just out, set in Inklings territory, which I hope to review soon.

Narnia and the Fields of Arbol: The Environmental Vision of C.S. Lewis Matthew
Dickerson & David L. O’hara (University Press of Kentucky) $35.00 Academic presses never fail to surprise me, with the oddest thesis being published, weirdo historical arcana explained in 500 plus pages and selling for fifty-five bucks. And then, a gem pops out, a book that ought to be widely known, easily purchased, often discussed, but it languishes in the back of academic catalogs, hardly known. We don’t know if other Christian bookstores carry this, but we are thrilled to promote it, and hope you tell others about it. (I commented on it when it first came out, here.) What a genius study this is, by a fine, respected, pair of solid Christian scholars. Yes, it may be at first glance a bit of a stretch to think that the old Oxford don would favor green theology or have much to say to the harsh matters of 21st century climate change or species extinctions. (Well, he opposed animal experimentation, you know!) Get this book, form a reading club, and learn a lot about Lewis, literature, ecology, and God’s good care for the beautiful web of life we are called upon to steward. I sometimes say Francis Schaeffer’s Pollution and the Death of Man may have been the first overtly evangelical environmental writing. If Dickerson & O’hara are right, Lewis is the man!   Cheerio!

Is Your Lord Large Enough: How C.S. Lewis Expands Our View of God Peter Schakel (IVP) $16.00   Peter Schakel is well respected in Lewis circles, mostly for his reliable and clear-headed Way Into Narnia: A Readers Guide (Eerdmans; $15.00.) The estimable go-to Lewis guy Walter Hooper says he is “the wisest and humblest of C.S. Lewis commentators.” Schakel is truly a C.S. scholar, but here he desires to help people come to know God better, to worship well, to be nurtured in faith and formation. Think of that line Aslan says to Lucy in Prince Caspian, “Every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” This book will help that happen.

Conversations with C.S. Lewis: Imaginative Discussions About life, Christianity and God Robert Verlarde (IVP) $15.00 This is not brand new but is so imaginative itself that I have to list it. Yep, this is–in the style popularized by Peter Kreeft–a set of playfully construed imaginary conversations. Wonder what Clive would say today if he were here?   What he might say about very contemporary issues and theological controversies? Kreeft himself gives a big thumbs up to Verlarde’s effort here, and, as Douglas Groothuis puts it, he has “pulled off a rare and wonderful feat.” What a fun and interesting way to learn about Lewis’ views, his logic, his heart, and how to think about orthodox Christian living in our modern setting.

Mere Christians: Inspiring Stories of Encounters with C.S. Lewis edited by Mary Anne Phemister & Andrew Lazo (Baker) $14.99

We’ve been making these book and author suggestions supposing you understand how influential Lewis has been, that you agree his was and is an important voice in contemporary writing, and especially in Christian writing. You surely know that many think he was one of the more important writers of the 20th century. Need convincing (or reminding?) This book is fantastic! Here are pieces by Anne Rice and Francis Collins, Philip Yancey and Joy Davidman, scholars like David Lyle Jeffrey and pastors like Earl Palmer. My my, there are good folks here. A little story: I was in our dungeon-like basement overstock room, putting away boxes of books, late at night and weary. I had on the CD player a brand new CD, a favorite singer-song-writer, Pierce Pettis. I started to browse through this new book, Mere Christian, and realized Pierce had a chapter in it. No sooner did I start reading his moving essay, the song that blasted from the new album was, in fact, about Narnia. It was surreal, hearing Pettis’ song for the first time, while reading about how Lewis made a difference in his journey of faith. The album, by the way, is called That Kind of Love and the song is “Lion’s Eye.”

The Soul of C. S. Lewis: A Meditative Journey through Twenty-Six of His Best-Loved Writings Wayne Martindale, Jerry Root, and Linda Washington (Tyndale) $19.99 This book could sell for twice the price and be a bargain. Lovingly edited and compiled this really is as the sub-title says, a sweet reflection on all of Lewis’ major works. This is at once a “readers guide” and guidebook, but also a thoughtful and at times captivating rumination on the deepest meanings and insights of C. S. L. The reviews are gathered into four major sections, and although they offer the dates and chronology, they are arranged by theme, or tone. They show the journey of “Pilgrimage”, “Temptation and Triumph”, “Going Deeper”, and, then, the books that they describe as “Words of Grace.” Lovers of Lewis will surely be thrilled to see these authors arrange and discuss this body of work. Those who need a friendly sherpa or two, well, you’ve found them. Excellent!

Want just one big book to get into Lewis, a good collection of a handful of his important works?
The Complete C.S. Lewis Signature Classics (HarperOne) $28.99 This just may be the one, since it includes full editions of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, and The Abolition of Man. A great big bargain!

Want one book to just dip in to brief selections across his wider body of work? There are a few, (including one that goes a whole year, but is only drawn from the seven signature classics.) Rather, for a broader selection of short entries, try
The Business of Heaven edited by Walter Hooper (Mariner) $15.00 It a tremendous. While the readings are very short (which has its drawbacks for a substantive writer like Lewis) there are pieces from his vast output— literary criticism, his letters, his prayers, and all sorts of good selections, designed a bit to somewhat correspond to the church calender.

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Posted in Reviews

Advent and Christmas readings

Posted on November 9, 2010 by Byron Borger

I know we have already traveled into the Advent season, but it is never too late to give seasonal books, to commit to reflecting a bit on the Meaning Of It All, or to find a good Advent devotional for these increasingly dark days. Happily, with the vital twelve days and Christmastide and the celebration of bright Epiphany, we’ve got weeks and weeks of this spiritual season yet to go. â€¨â€¨

We have an extraordinary 30% discount on these listed books
We’re happy to offer the savings for those who may need it.
While supplies last.

Christmas: Festival of Incarnation Donald Heinz (Fortress) $25.00 What a delight to hold such a handsome, gold-engraved hardback, and what a delight that it is so expansive, imaginative, and interesting. I love this “history of the development of the idea” and the sociology of our (varied) lived practices and while he cites knowingly the scholars like Durkheim and others who explore the meaning of rituals, this isn’t dry or distant (nor is it overly eccentric or oddly speculative.) What a glorious bit of writing, covering the way the feast and festival has been celebrated, honored, dishonored, resisted and reconfigured. His emphasis on the drama of the event (and how global capitalism and the subsequent commodification of even religious rituals) is very important. I found his insights about the strict Calvinist resistance to such festivals historically and intellectually stimulating, and a very helpful expose of stupidity in my own chosen tradition. Alas, folk will have their celebrations and rituals regardless, so the celebrations were turned outward, leading inevitably to the crass secularization and eventual secularization and commercialization of the holiday. This is astute and rewarding stuff, important, insightful, glorious, semi-academic and exceptionally interesting ruminations. It is, I think, one of the best books of the year!
And, I’m not alone. Listen to what the great Robert Bellah writes:

Another book about Christmas? Yes, but this is the one we really need. Heinz tells us the deep story of Christmas all the way back…he is more concerned with helping us understand the joy in elaborations that seem far from the original meaning that he is with chiding the innovators. So this is a book that simultaneously deepens our theology while widening our sympathy.

Or, from Kristin Swenson, author of the very fun Bible Babel:

With this book Heinz gives readers front row seats and a backstage pass to the great drama that is Christmas. Readers get tantalizing inside information about the script, characters, set, and music for a story that has moved audiences for two thousand years. In the process, Heinz brings the implications of Incarnation alive in new ways and treats us to a glimpse of how Christmas will continue to be richly relevant and meaningful in the years to come.â€¨â€¨â€¨

Yes, this is thoughtful, entertaining, and wise. And important, I think, for those who are up for the slowly developed serious argument it makes. As Walter Brueggemann puts it, Christmas: Festival of Incarnation is “for those who want to rethink and re-practice Christmas in a consumer culture.” We’ve got quite an “evangelical pageant among multiple temptations and distortions” on our hands and it seems that this Lutheran clergyman and Professor of Religious Studies (who goes ga ga over Christmas, by the way) may be one of the better thinkers to help us through it. Highly recommended. Here is a video interview with Don Heinz over at the Fortress Press website. Enjoy him there, and come on back and order!

God Is In the Manger: Reflections on Advent and Christmas Dietrich Bonhoeffer (WJK) $12.95 Thanks to Eric Metaxas’ spectacular, recent book Bonhoeffer there is quite a renewed interest in the brave German pastor. It is good to see a new book like this, knowing these are solid and poetic, uplifting messages. Some of these 41 devotions have been around only in other places (in his letters or sermons) and it is gift to have them together in one handy paperback. As Scot McKnight writes, “These Advent and Christmas reflections of Bonhoeffer flew from his prison cell, flung open the doors of hope, and sailed heavenward as heart-wrenching prayers, prayers from a condemned man, prayers from a hopeful man, prayers from a man who embodied what it means to pray ‘May your kingdom come.’ Very useful as a daily devotional, with short readings, Bible texts and prayers.

God Is With us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas edited by Greg Pennoyer and
Gregory Wolfe (Paraclete) $29.95 You may know of this as we’ve promoted this before—one of our most popular Advent books in the last two years! What a handsome, large-sized, elegant and eloquent set of reflections by the likes of poet Luci Shaw and pastor Eugene Peterson and writer Kathleen Norris. The artwork is lovely and enhances the text nicely. You should know that this emerged from the glorious pages of our best literary journal, Image, a mature faith-based quarterly of literature and art and criticism. It has some nice touches, including a ribbon maker and glossy pages, making this a truly commendable book to own and share.

The Advent of Justice: A Book of Meditations Brian Walsh, Richard Middleton, Sylvia Keesmaat, Mark Vander Vennen w/ illustrations by Willem Hart (Dordt College Press) $8.00 I’ve long said this is the best bit of Biblical study I’ve ever seen leading up to the large claims of the gospel as the fulfillment of the aching promises of the Hebrew Scriptures. All four authors are friends, scholars, activists and leaders I trust to take us into the deepest political context of the Bible and its grand hope. Yet, despite the themes of social injustice and the critique of false gods and new calls to radical discipleship, there is pastoral care and good sense here. It is my favorite seasonal study and commend it loudly. Here is a brief (and very moving) homily Brian Walsh preached recently which is both prophetic and pastoral and gives you a sense of his views (although there is substantial exegesis in the book, making it exceptionally substantive and educational.) The Advent of Justice, by the way, is out of print (pray that it gets reprinted by somebody next year) and these are the last ones anywhere.

Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas (Orbis) $16.00 This continues to be the most respected and most-often commented upon resource we offer this time of year. It was first put out by the short-live
d genius publishing project Plough (of the Hutterite community) and includes so many great writers it is hard to describe. The excerpts are short, pithy, yet substantive and often beautiful. From C.S. Lewis to Henri Nouwen, from Madeleine L’Engle to Dorothy Day, from Jurgen Moltmann to Martin Luther there are writers classic and serious. Brennen Manning’s great “Shipwrecked at the Stable” piece from one of his early books that inspired the 1988 Bruce Cockburn song by that name is here, too. Read these selections over and over!

Handel’s Messiah: Comfort for God’s People Calvin R. Stapert (Eerdmans) $14.99 Not a few of us have been longing for a good book to guide us through the music and lyrics and theology of Handel’s beloved Messiah and this is it! Remarkably insightful, very informed, quite accessible, this will enhance your listening, enhance your season, enhance your life as this appreciation deepens down into y our heart. Jeremy Begbie (to whom we should listen) says “this is destined to be a classic guide to this classic work.” Want good news? Messiah is one of the Western world’s great treasures and it is such a gift that it is done to the great glory of God in Christ. Read this book to understand it better. Dr. Stapert is professor emeritus of music at Calvin College in Grand Rapids and a much-respected Bach scholar. A truly great book.

Saint Nicholas Joe Wheeler (Nelson) $12.00 This little paperback with French-folded cover is part of a series of light introductions to various historical figures. Recently, the “Christian Encounters” series did one on Saint Francis and one on Saint Patrick so this made perfect sense. There aren’t many biographies of the humble and miraculous defender of God’s truth and “the patron saint of practically everybody.” Wheeler is a great storyteller making this fun read. I am certain you will learn something new, and enjoy knowing these inspiring facts about the real, old Saint Nic.

Kneeling in Bethlehem: Poetry for Advent and Christmas Ann Weems (WJK) $16.95 We’re happy to announce that the popular Ann Weems’ Christmas and Lent books (and her moving Psalms of Lament) have been reissued with bright new covers in celebration of her new poetry collection, From Advent’s Alleluia to Easter’s Morning Light. She makes us think and her words are, in the phrase of one reviewer, “powerful, poignant, and profound.”

Accompanied by Angels: Poems of the Incarnation Luci Shaw (Eerdmans) $15.00 Ms Shaw is perhaps our all time favorite poet (and a fan of the bookstore, no less.) This isn’t new, but we always feature it on our Advent display tables, and somebody always comments on how they so love this or that piece. Not too many poets get the back-cover endorsements of Scott Cairns, Julia Kasdorf and John Leax. She is a Writer-in-Residence at Regent College in Vancouver, we suggest these as devotional aids and as true art.

The Advent Conspiracy book and DVD Chris Seay, Rick McKinley & Greg Holder (Zondervan) $29.99 I have already done a whole post on this (see my “black Friday” ruminations here), and we are so very glad for this sensible, deeply Christian, up-beat call to love fully, spend less, give more, and love all. The book is solid, the DVD a bit contemporary, with these young, hip pastors and clever, fast-paced film style, and cool footage; the whole thing is just so, so important. Start a local branch of the conspiracy that believes that “Christmas Can Still Change the World.” Beats griping about commercialism or debating how to “keep Christ in Christmas.” (By the way, my friend David Dark did a tweet the other day wishing that “more stores would keep Christ out of Christmas so He wouldn’t be connected to such hyper-consumerism.” Ha.) The Advent Conspiracy is the best! Watch the trailer here and see if you aren’t eager for this fresh, wholesome, Christ-centered, missional approach. Call some friends, sing some carols and watch this thing! You’ll be glad.

The Christmas Countdown:
Creating 25 Days of New Advent Traditions for Families
Margie J. Harding (Paraclete) $15.99 It has been a good number of years since we’ve seen a new book like this, helping busy families with easy-to-use devotional readings and ideas for prayers, music, food, family activities. Margie is a mother of five (and a grandmother of nine) so she knows about the need for family traditions and ways to help family be the “forming center” during this time of year. A little of this great book is reflective and full of meaningful ruminations while other portions include games and fun stuff, even some worksheet puzzles and such. We love Paraclete, a deeply spiritual Episcopalian community and we stock all this books. Glad for this one this year! Includes suggestions for Christmas eve, Christmas day, and into Christmastide. Joy to the world!

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Schaeffer, Pearcey, The New Yorker, and American Grace (and other good books on faith and the public square.)

Calvin College, Abraham Kuyper, The Christian Scholar’s Review, *cino, and the great influence of John Stott

A rich summer array of brand new books on spiritual formation.

C.S. Lewis Institute Fellows Reading List

Learning to love what God loves: Creation Care and Christian discipleship

Jubilee authors, best-selling books and that fulfillment of prophecy: Bob Goff’s door

Reflections on a local Summit: Your Work Matters to God

BEST BOOKS OF 2010

C.S. Lewis: educational DVDs, books, devotional, Bible and other recent resources

Advent and Christmas readings