Being Human Rowan Williams Eerdmans, 112 pages Rowan Williams’ recent small books “Being Christian” and “Becoming Disciples” have been helpful in describing foundational Christian belief and practice. Here, Williams turns his attention to what makes us human and how we can sustain what is humane when it is being increasingly threatened. Taken with the other two, it makes a trilogy worth reading together. By the author’s admission, these essays are perhaps more intellectually challenging. Yet they are worth the effort. As Williams says, “Unless we have a coherent model of what sort of humanity we want to nurture in our society, we shall continue to be at sea over how we teach, how we vote … how we think about the beginning and end of life.” It concludes with a sermon on the ascension of Jesus. Anxious to Talk About It Carolyn B. Helsel Chalice Press, 128 pages Helsel wants ordinary white folks to engage the conversation about race in a way that propels them forward into … [Read more...]

Karl Barth Baker Academic, 192 pages To call this a commentary on Ephesians would certainly be accurate. It would also barely scratch the surface of Karl Barth’s extraordinary theological reflections on this epistle. What is even more astonishing is the contemporary relevancy of Barth’s theological interpretations written in 1921-22 while he was teaching at the University of Gottingen. (This is the same period during which Barth composed his shattering-all-things commentary on Romans.) The reader is led deeper and deeper into the depths of Paul’s letter with line-by-line, word-by-word exposition. (Yes, Barth takes the contrary position that Paul is the author of Ephesians.) Occasionally, one is left breathless by the interpretation and compelled to rethink everything in light of it. While it’s accurate to say that Barth stays close to the text, it’s more like turning an infinite kaleidoscope to reveal the theological treasures of God that he finds laden in Scripture. Along the … [Read more...]

Dan Jones Viking Press, 448 pages Dan Jones is a wonderful storyteller and historian. It’s not always clear which skill is foremost. He is perhaps most well known for his massive “The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens who Made England.” No surprise: He’s also a consultant for the History Channel, and his narrative style lends itself well to that task. This book explores the period of the Crusades from 1102-1314, through the slow rise and dramatic fall of the Knights of the Order of the Temple, otherwise known as the Templars. It’s a stunning story well told, certainly relevant for today. Jones amasses an enormous amount of details across cultures and religious traditions, language and beliefs. Occasionally one wishes for an editor to bring some focus. Where Jones succeeds is holding the thread of the Templars from a sincere monastic order supported by St. Bernard, called to defend The Holy Land, to a wealthy powerful and military skilled order. Inevitably their power … [Read more...]

Suzanne Stabile IVP, 240 pages In recent years the Enneagram, a personality tool based on an ancient practice, has gained a much wider audience in churches and among Protestant pastors. That is due largely because of popular Franciscan Richard Rohr whose book has shaped a generation of seekers. Suzanne Stabile, one of those influenced by Rohr, has now become a premier teacher of the Enneagram with a particular focus on relationships. She and her husband direct Life in the Trinity Ministries, which is based at the Micah Center in Dallas. (She previously co-authored a book with Ian Morgan Cron on basic understanding of the Enneagram.) Her podcast has a large following of people who genuinely want help from a Christian perspective to improve their lives and their relationships. Stabile is a wise guide and this book is the fruit of wise teaching. She guides people into a deeper understanding of their relationship partners (friends, colleagues or family), providing a knowledge that … [Read more...]

Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile IVP Books, 220 pages The Enneagram is ancient tool that helps people gain a greater understanding of themselves and their relationships. Not to be confused with the once popular Meyers-Briggs personality system, the Enneagram has deeper roots in esoteric philosophy and even theology. The history is a bit murky but often associated with Evagrius, a Christian monk of the 4th century and the Desert Mothers and Fathers who reportedly used it in pastoral counseling. It is also associated with Sufism and in the 20th century was renewed by George Gurdjieff. Eventually it made its way to an American psychiatrist, Claudio Naranjo. Naranjo began using it in teaching seminars that included Christian priests and pastors. Hence, the Enneagram entered more fully into Christian spiritual practice.  Ian Cron and Suzanne Stabile are active Christians and master teachers of the Enneagram, former students and now colleagues with Richard Rohr. This is an … [Read more...]