Singleness and Marriage Singleness and Marriage after Christendom, Lina Toth (Cascade, Eugene, 2021) Congregations have long acknowledged they have a problem when it comes to Singles Ministries. The Christian Church has become the haven of couples and families. Women also make up a significant percentage of congregants. These demographics don’t mirror those of society where […]
Book Review
Book Review: The Standard
The Standard The Standard: Discovering Jesus as the Standard for Masculinity, Josh Khachadourian (Self-published, Khachadourian, 2020) Which came first, the chicken or the egg? This is the question that popped into my mind when I picked up Josh Khachadourian’s self-improvement manual for men entitled, The Standard: Discovering Jesus as the Standard for Masculinity.” Has Khachadourian […]
Book Review: Long Story Short
Long Story Short Long Story Short: Dwelling in the Good News of the Great Story, Dillon T. Thornton (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, 2022) Dillon Thornton’s title to his book, Long Story Short: Dwelling in the Good News of the Great Story, grabbed my attention. In his introduction he outlines his goal, “I will tell the […]
“Post Truth,” A Book Review
Post Truth? Facts and Faithfulness, Jeffrey Dudiak (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, 2022) Life had been so simple. We knew what truth was, and if we didn’t, we knew where to find it. There were natural laws and the Holy Scriptures to guide us. People in authority; parents, teachers, the police and the clergy, we believed, […]
Othering, A Book Review
Othering: The Original Sin of Humanity, Charles K. Bellinger (Cascade Books, Eugene, 2020). I was excited to have the opportunity to review Charles Bellinger’s book, Othering: The Original Sin of Humanity. I was hopeful the book would provide an insightful survey into society’s tendency to marginalize groups, disempower them, and make them the enemy. There […]
Elements of Life and Grace
Rationality, Humility, and Spirituality in Christian Life, Dennis Hiebert (Cascade, Eugene, 2020) Elements of Life and Grace Dennis Hiebert has written a fascinating book, which investigates three aspects of the Christian Life. His book is entitled, Rationality, Humility and Spirituality in Christian Life. It is all too easy for us to become complacent in our […]
The Emptied Christ of Philippians
The Emptied Christ of Philippians A Refreshing Commentary The Emptied Christ of Philippians: Mahatana Meditations, John P. Keenan (Wipf and Stock, Eugene, 2015) As a student of the Bible, I always appreciate fresh insights on a well-worn topic or text. John P. Keenan has provided the reader many such insights on Paul’s letter to the […]
Discovering Grace
Sealed: An Unexpected Journey into the Heart of Grace, Katie Langston (Thornbush Press, 2020). I must confess that I selected this book, because it would provide me with a lay perspective of Mormonism. My knowledge of the Church of Latter Day Saints was very limited. I did know that they were not accepted as “Christian” […]
Two in a Bed and Two Grinding
The Galilee Episode, Ronald W. Goetz (El Cajon, CA, Blossom Valley Trumpet, 2019). If you like to plum to the depths of a passage of Scripture and mine it of all its treasures, then this book is for you. Ronald Goetz, in his book, The Galilee Episode, uses all the exegetical tools and historical reference […]
Stories of Adventure and Discovery
I recently read two books. They are very different, yet they share a common theme of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, traveling to new and different places, and learning about oneself and one’s world. The first book is The Courage to Go, by Emily Dobberstein. (Creating Space for Wonder, 2020). Emily is a twenty […]