Tag Archives: Christian Life

Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

American Literature

Synopsis: After her mother enters rehab and a neighbor girl goes missing, a pastor’s daughter has a crisis of faith. Review: Once Was Lost is yet another strong, character-driven young adult novel by Sara Zarr. I really like how she can tackle dark, complex issues without letting that darkness shroud her writing. You’re never attracted to the dark side in one of her books–you’re always longing for the characters to find the light. As a pastor’s daughter, Samara faces challenges her peers don’t. She has…

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Christianish: What If We’re Not Really Following Jesus at All? by Mark Steele

American Literature

Synopsis: An examination of a bunch of different ways that Christians get Christianity wrong. Review: Mark Steele’s heart is firmly in the right place, and he’s a fantastic writer, making for two excellent reasons to check out Christianish. He uses funny and insightful anecdotes from his own life to show the different ways that Christians allow their practice of faith to turn sinful. He speaks eloquently about arrogance, greed (what he calls Christian obesity) and worldliness, among others. His critique is right on. I do…

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Live Deeply and Live Relationally

American Literature

Synopsis: Two Bible study guides, one on the parables and the other on the women of the Bible. Review: Live Deeply and Live Relationally are part of the Fresh Life series of Bible studies. Set up to take about 20 minutes a day, these studies are inductive in nature and take you through Bible passages in order to deepen your understanding of the Bible. They present historical context and make ample use of cross-references. They look to be educational in nature, as opposed to therapeutic,…

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Jesus and Justice by Peter Goodwin Hetzel

American Literature

Synopsis: Subtitled “Evangelicals, Race, and American Politics,” an overview of the history of 20th-21st century evangelicalism as it moved from ignoring race to embracing the Christology of Martin Luther King, Jr. Review: In Jesus and Justice, author Peter Goodwin Hetzel writes an incredibly detailed history of Focus on the Family, Sojourners, and the National Association of Evangelicals, among others. He also presents a thorough examination of Martin Luther King Jr.’s theology, which was a topic I’d never really explored before. I knew that King was…

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Christless Christianity by Michael Horton

American Literature 5 Comments

Synopsis: An examination and critique of the current state of Christianity in America, which shows the pervasive influences of Pelagianism and Gnosticism–these heresies are closer than you think. Review: Michael Horton had me at “Joel Osteen.” I was blown away by the incisiveness of Christless Christianity, a stunning work that made me so, so thankful to be attending a church deeply rooted in Reformation orthopraxis. The first section of the book deals with the prosperity gospel, looking at Osteen and others of his ilk who…

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How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph by Linda Massey Weddle

American Literature 4 Comments

Synopsis: A guide for parents for Bible study activities from age 2 through the teenage years, centered around Biblical knowledge and moral character. Review: I thought that How to Raise a Modern-Day Joseph had some good ideas for educational activities for parents, but after reading Christless Christianity I read it with a much more critical eye. Modern-Day Joseph does contain the semi-Pelagian notions that we “make a decision for Christ” and that just doesn’t fly with Reformed (read Calvinist) me anymore. What I thought was…

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So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore by Wayne Jacobsen and Dave Coleman

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: A pastor facing a spiritual crisis receives counsel from a man who may be St. John. Review: So You Don’t Want to Go to Church Anymore has a lot of great insights into the crippling effect that the legalism of religious obligation can have on anyone’s faith. I was with the book for the first two-thirds, nodding my head in agreement as John enlightens Pastor Jake about seeking life and salvation from God, not from rituals like Sunday morning worship or weekly Bible study.…

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Grace Based Parenting by Dr. Tim Kimmel

American Literature

Synopsis: A parenting book that looks at the bigger picture of raising adults, not children. Review: Grace Based Parenting really resonated with me. I’ve been a bit frustrated as I read about parenting, because it seems like everything has to be a method, a program, or a way of life. I have really been searching for a framework in which to carve out my own path with Superfast Baby, and this book gave me just that. Dr. Kimmel is a youth pastor, and I have…

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Real Sex by Lauren Winner

American Literature

Synopsis: An exploration of the meaning of chastity in the 21st century. Review: Real Sex is an excellent companion piece to Anna Broadway’s Sexless in the City. Winner offers a larger cultural and historical context for Broadway’s desire to live chastely, and has some ideas about why Broadway expresses some disappointment in the way she has been taught by the church to think about sex. Winner’s analysis is thoughtful and well-researched, and is worth reading even by those who don’t hold the same beliefs in…

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The Shaming of the Strong by Sarah Williams

Canadian Literature 3 Comments

Synopsis: Told their unborn child has birth defects that will likely lead to stillbirth, a couple decide to see the pregnancy through to term. Review: I am a sucker for stories like those found in The Shaming of the Strong. When I was pregnant with Superfast Baby I thought a lot about what I would do if I found out that something was wrong, and I hoped that I would be strong enough to make the choice that Sarah Williams made, however painful it might…

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