With Thanksgiving only a day away, I thought today might be a good day to share Reeves’s book as a reminder of why and in whom we rejoice and give thanks. In Rejoicing in Christ, Reeves does a masterful job of putting Christ as the focal point of the gospel. The gospel is not that Jesus helps us get to heaven and then disappears, but that … Continue reading Rejoicing in Christ (Book Blurbs)
This is one of the better books I have read in the Counterpoints series. Each of the four main contributors present their cases well and give substantive feedback and criticism to each other in their responses. Additionally, the inclusion of reflections by Strauss, Wolters, and Wright are an excellent addition to provide further reflection from various perspectives that are not “defending their own view”. The … Continue reading Moving Beyond the Bible to Theology (Book Blurbs)
Below are brief recommendations for several excellent books on Christian engagement with culture and social issues of our day. Volf provides an excellent primer on Christianity and its role in the public arena. He lays out his argument for Christianity as a prophetic religion that works towards human flourishing while not being coercive. Along the way he critiques several flawed approaches in a helpful and … Continue reading Christians and Culture (Book Blurbs)
Louis Markos is an excellent writer (perhaps an even better speaker if you get the chance to hear him) and has fantastic insight into both Tolkien and Lewis. The structure of the book is easy to follow and is centered around the four cardinal and three theological virtues. For each virtue, Markos demonstrates with examples from Tolkien and Lewis’s stories how each writer develops these … Continue reading On the Shoulders of Hobbits (Book Blurbs)
This is an insightful book on the goals and practice of reading Scripture. Using the vision of John’s revelation where he eats the scroll, Peterson argues that spiritual reading (lectio divina) must lead to not only reading but also living the text. Although some practices are less clearly outlined from a practical approach, Peterson’s overall framework and exhortation to practice spiritual reading are helpful and … Continue reading Eugene Peterson (Book Blurbs)
After years of wanting to read the “and Philosophy” series I was not disappointed. Although some articles are less intriguing or convincing, the majority of the essays are thought-provoking, well-written, and genuinely insightful. Reading this book gives not only deeper insight into the brilliance of Rowling’s series, but it also provides a much needed refresher in philosophy and led to many occasions of thoughtful reflection … Continue reading The Ultimate Harry Potter and Philosophy (Book Blurbs)
Keith Johnson’s Theology as Discipleship is a helpful work that explores the link between theology and everyday Christian life. Johnson recognizes that many Christians are opposed to the task of theology because it takes away time from discipleship, yet Johnson makes a strong case that theology done rightly is in fact integral to faithful discipleship. Johnson emphasizes the centrality of a God revealed in the … Continue reading Theology as Discipleship by Keith Johnson (Book Blurbs)
In Beauty for Truth’s Sake, Caldecott provides an excellent defense of the need to infuse wonder and poetic imagination into our education, and through beauty to bring about a re-enchantment in education. Although it is by no means his main point in the book, Caldecott has provided one of the best explanations I have seen for both the beauty and importance of mathematics from a Christian worldview. … Continue reading Beauty for Truth’s Sake by Stratford Caldecott (Book Blurbs)
This book is both brilliant and disturbing. It all too well examines the evil of the human heart and explores the nature of free will in some interesting ways. Several places suggest that the Ludovico Technique, which makes Alex sick at the thought of evil and therefore remove his free will, make him inhuman. Yet the depth of evil in Alex is such that he … Continue reading A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess (Book Blurbs)
Yesterday Josh Dyson published an excellent piece on Fahrenheit 451, “Freedom in the Fire,” so I thought today would be a good day to share my Book Blurb on the novel as well. I finally got around to reading this book last summer, and I realize I should have done so much sooner. It has features of character development that could be better, but Bradbury’s portrayal of … Continue reading Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (Book Blurbs)
This book was even better than expected. It is thought-provoking, wonderfully written, and told in an interesting way, mixing flashbacks with inward thoughts and dialogue in the flow of the narrative. It is particularly helpful for our present day which still deals with issues of race and the role of the government, both of which stand at the center of the conflict in the novel. … Continue reading Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Book Blurbs)
I’ve been meaning to read this for years, and it did not disappoint. Brilliant storytelling, extensive research, and a compelling story, this exceeded my high expectations. Larson succeeds in weaving together threads of multiple storylines while keeping the central narrative of the World’s Fair in primary perspective. This book encapsulates everything from architectural marvels to insights into the mind of a psychopath to a vision … Continue reading Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Book Blurbs)
The Classical Thistle 