The Battle for Halcyon by Peter Kazmaier (Review)

In Peter Kazmaier's fast-paced Halcyon Dislocation we read the story of an island university that disappeared from our world and appeared in a new, mysterious place.  Much of the story introduced us to this new world as university students along with naval officers stationed on the island explored the new world.  We learned that an …

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Mindset: The New Psychology of Success (Review)

Do you have a fixed or a growth mindset?  Carol Dweck's book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success seeks to teach you what the mindsets are and why having a growth one is vital for a good life. My wife recommended this book to me and I found the ideas within it very helpful.  To …

Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans (Review)

Rachel Held Evans has been called the most polarizing woman in evangelicalism.  Whether that is true or not, she is certainly one of the most talented writers in evangelicalism today.  Her new book, Searching for Sunday, is a pleasure to read.  At times I was reminded of other great writers, like Frederick Buechner and Anne Lamott. …

The Life of Moses by Gregory of Nyssa (Review)

Gregory of Nyssa was one of the Cappadocian Fathers, three Christian thinkers whose work was tremendous in the solidification of orthodoxy int he late 300s.  But they did not just write heady theological tomes, they also wrote profound works on spiritual life.  One of the best is the Life of Moses by Gregory. If you …

The Drama of Doctrine – Review

Kevin Vanhoozer's book The Drama of Doctrine has been on my list for years and after finishing it, I wish I would have read it sooner.  Vanhoozer has noticed that doctrine has fallen on hard times in the Christian church and part of his goal is to reclaim the importance of doctrine.  Part of the reason …

Christianity’s Dangerous Idea by Alister McGrath

Alister McGrath is one of my favorite theologians and his book Christianity's Dangerous Idea, is a fantastic feast for any who dive into reading it.  The first part is a history of the Protestant Reformation up to about 1900 which reads more or less like a straightforward history book.  In the second part he analyzes a …

Telling God’s Story: A Parent’s Guide to Teaching the Bible

I grew up in the church learning all the old Bible stories.  I fondly recall hearing, over and over again, Jonah and the whale, Daniel and the Lions Den and so many more.  I am forever grateful for what I learned as a child.  Yet as I've moved into an adult faith, I see some …

The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus

Reading the Bible as a lifelong Christian means it is easy to accept certain things about the story rather uncritically.  While we recognize that Jesus was Jewish, we tend to contrast Jesus with most other Jews of his day.  We also tend to assume a straight line from the Old Testament Law to the Jews …

The Great and Holy War: How World War I Became a Religious Crusade

For the last year I have been listening to Hardcore History's podcast on World War I.  It has been fascinating and educational.  I never realized how absolutely awful World War I was, nor do I think I took seriously how much the world changed.  Really, our modern world was born in World War I.  Most …

The Paterno Legacy by Jay Paterno

Its been over three years now since the Sandusky abuse scandal shook the nation.  For the most part the media and the world have moved on.  Those of us with close ties to Penn State are still living with the aftershocks.  In the early days the media spent more time talking about iconic football coach …