James K.A. Smith Brazos Press, 256 pages Reviewed by Paul Rowland Jr. James K.A. Smith tells us that he has written neither a biography nor a book about Augustine, but “a book Augustine has written about you … a travelogue of the heart.” Smith says that Augustine is a commendable guide because “he knows where home is, where rest can be found, what peace feels like, even if it is sometimes ephemeral and elusive along the way.” And our trip with Augustine is led by Smith, a superbly articulate and imaginative guide. He recounts how he went to Villanova to study others, but found Augustine as his guide and came to see that Augustine has “shaped the way we understand our pursuits.” Augustine is not so much an ancient as a contemporary. We go on the road, Smith suggests, because we are searching for something, though we know not what. In his orientation to this journey, Smith recalls the parable of the prodigal son with a startlingly surprising take of this very familiar story, … [Read more...]

Emily M.D. Scott Convergent Books, 256 pages Reviewed by Cyndi Wunder This book is multilayered. It is a book about a unique church plant, and it is a book about personal transformation and growth. St. Lydia’s in New York has captured the imaginations of church nerds across the U.S. St. Lydia’s is a dinner church in Brooklyn, and is unique among church plants. The experience of being church together begins by gathering in the kitchen and cooking a shared meal. The worship service occurs around the table, in and through the sharing of bread and cup. There is a graceful simplicity to this church that welcomes all people from all stations in New York to sit, to eat together and to share life together. We learn in this book that St. Lydia’s is a response to deep yearning for genuine community, for simplicity and connection, for spiritual as well as physical nourishment. It is not a step-by-step guide to setting up your own church plant or dinner church. There are certainly some … [Read more...]

Robin DiAngelo Beacon Press, 192 pages When 2020 arrived, no one imagined the year unfolding as it did with a global pandemic and a social uprising demanding racial justice. Robin DiAngelo, a white woman, has been teaching antiracist seminars for over 20 years. She wrote this book two years prior to the murder of George Floyd specifically to help teach white people how to address the dominance of white supremacy. Within a week after the murder, the book was completely sold out from most bookstores — and for good reason. White people generally got the message: It’s way past time to educate themselves about the white supremacy that is inextricably woven into American life. DiAngelo is explicit: “The racial status quo is comfortable for white people, and we will not move forward in race relations if we remain comfortable.” That comfort level may be different now after the social uprising. This means the work is all the more important for white Christians to educate ourselves about … [Read more...]

Walter Brueggemann Westminster John Knox Press, 125 pages Reviewed by Heather Woodworth Brannon There has never been a better time to call our faith communities to rise up from the church pew and enter the public square (practicing social distancing, of course). Christians are summoned to work with God to dismantle the systems of oppression that plague our neighbors. This is a tall order, but one of utmost urgency for the church and the world. This book provides a point of departure for communities seeking to reassess how they contribute to systematic oppression. Walter Brueggemann challenges readers to reignite a dormant moral passion about some of the most pressing issues of our time, using a critical examination of the materiality of our faith as its central focus. This is not, however, to be confused with materialism, which prioritizes possessions and physical comfort over spiritual values. Jesus was not a “materialist” who hoarded goods or exploited his neighbors for … [Read more...]