The Third Peacock: The Problem of God and Evil
Robert Farrar Capon Winston Press, 82 pages Why mention a book that was first published over 40 years ago? Simply because it..
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A prayer after the Texas church killings
Merciful God, I don't expect you to stop a speeding bullet from killing one of your beloved in a church, at a..
The Ecumenism of Beauty
Timothy Verdon, editor Paraclete Press, 128 pages It was Prince Myshkin in Dostoevsky’s “The Idiot” who famously said, “Beauty will save the..
Long Wandering Prayer
David Hansen InterVarsity Press, 168 pages I have long believed that bird-watching is training in the practice of prayer. Both bird-watching and..
As Kingfishers Catch Fire
Eugene Peterson WaterBrook, 372 pages Few pastors in our time have had as much influence as Eugene Peterson, and from such an..
Who Counts?
Amy-Jill Levine and Sandy Eisenberg Sasso WJK Press, 40 pages This is a beautifully illustrated retelling of three of Jesus’ parables for..
A pilgrimage of faith: Walking the Camino Primitivo
During a sabbatical from my pastorate in 2015 I walked a pilgrimage of faith that radically altered my life. Nothing I have..
Construing the Cross: Type, Sign, Symbol, Word, Action
Frances M. Young Cascade Books, 141 pages One of the most brilliant living theologians – and least known to Americans –..
Prayers of the Reformers
Thomas McPherson Paraclete Press, Brewster, Mass. 128 pages Prayer is an act of theology, however conscious or not. In this collection of..
Eucharistic Prayers
Samuel Wells and Abigail Kocher Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Mich. 365 pages This is a great gift to the church by two pastors..
Out of the Depths
Kenneth E. Kovacs Parson’s Porch Books, Cleveland, Tenn. 160 pages Kenneth Kovacs is a seasoned pastor and a theologian who writes like..
On Looking: A Walker’s Guide to the Art of Observation
Alexandra Horowitz Simon and Schuster, New York 321 pages I nominate Alexandra Horowitz as spiritual companion for anyone who desires to see..
Jesus and the Disinherited
by Howard Thurman Beacon Press, Boston. 124 pages It’s important to return to the classics for grounding in theology and practice...
Courage to do the impossible: Building bridges to a shared society
There are bridges that need to be repaired. Some are too worn out to be safe; yet every day we depend..
Light When It Comes: Trusting Joy, Facing Darkness & Seeing God in Everything
Chris Anderson Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Mich. 181 pages This is a remarkable book. Part memoir, part prose poetry and part theological..
Spring books: Briefly noted
The Sign and the Sacrifice: The Meaning of the Cross and Resurrection Rowan Williams WJK, 128 pages Rowan Williams speaks clearly and..
Raymie Nightingale
Kate DiCamillo Candlewick Press, Somerville, Mass. 272 pages What a delightful story! We live in dark, difficult times with an uncertain future...
When in Romans
Beverly Roberts Gaventa Baker Academic, Grand Rapids, Mich. 160 pages Another commentary on Romans? One might reasonably ask why another volume is..
Moments with Martin Luther: 95 Daily Devotions
Donald K. McKim Westminster John Knox Press, Louisville, Ky. 138 pages Recently I participated in a gathering of Lutheran pastors embarking upon..
Encountering ‘the Other’
Jean Vanier Veritas Publications, Dublin, Ireland. 64 pages These are difficult times. The U.S. election has only increased difficulties by leaving the..
A Preacher’s Guide to Lectionary Sermon Series
Multiple contributors, with foreword by Amy K. Butler WJK Press, Louisville, Ky. 320 pages In the guild of preachers, the typical..
Being Disciples
by Rowan Williams Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Mich. 96 pages Rowan Williams is well known for his theological depth and his nimble leadership of..
Upstream
by Mary Oliver Penguin Press, New York. 192 pages The psalmist said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”..
Very Married
by Katherine Willis Pershey Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Va. 224 pages Lately when I counsel couples preparing for marriage, I give a bleak assessment..
Will Campbell, Preacher Man
Kyle Childress and Rodney Wallace Kennedy Cascade Books, Eugene, Ore. 144 pages I once met Will Campbell, the divine provocateur, who is..