Karen Swallow Prior Brazos Press, 272 pages Reviewed by Marlise Burr-Asher Karen Swallow Prior’s second book, “On Reading Well,” is an intriguing read if for no other reason than because the reader is confronted with antediluvian language in a modern context. Words like “prudence” and “chastity” just don’t pop up in our everyday vernacular. Prior, an English professor from Liberty University, deconstructs 12 influential pieces of literature. Each novel is scrutinized through the lens of a different virtue. For example, Prior examines justice in “A Tale of Two Cities.” She revisits “Huckleberry Finn” and considers what it teaches us about courage. She unpacks “Pilgrim’s Progress” and what it has to say about diligence.  Beating at the heart of her analysis is the belief that virtue can be found in literature, and therefore consuming great literature has the potential to make us more virtuous. Virtue, according to Prior, is excellence and is perceived in the Aristotelian … [Read more...]

Laurie M. Brock Paraclete Press, 144 pages Reviewed by Jennifer Meyers As a teenager I rode my horse on a large network of trails, often alone. In the solitude of the woods, I attempted to imitate the form of professional jumper riders I’d observed at the last horse show. More importantly, my horse and I listened to each other. He is the only one who did not cower as I practiced songs learned in church, and I would pray. I never tried, like Laurie M. Brock, Episcopal priest and former attorney residing in Lexington, Kentucky, to put words to the experience of worshipping God on the back of a horse, but I can attest she gets it right. In 17 essays succinctly summed up by one-word titles (Still, Collect, Balance), she offers an extended meditation on how the bodily act of riding horses opens her soul to a new experience of divine presence, one that discards words to express a different tongue: “The language of healing that only horses speak.” She explains, ”These creatures teach … [Read more...]

Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Graham Hill IVP Books, 208 pages Reviewed by Rachel Cheney Starting conversations about change can be uncomfortable in most communities with political and sociological diversity. Even within denominational boundaries, individual churches have unique histories and perspectives. In our cultural context fraught with untrue binaries, divisive polarization and reactionary tribalism, communities of faith are challenged to confront injustice in their midst and in the world. “Healing Our Broken Humanity” offers a roadmap to begin the process of healing through dialogue and action in the church. With candidness, the authors suggest nine practices congregations and small groups can use to begin conversations about how to identify entrenched oppression in the church, repent for collective wrongdoing and subvert cultural tendencies toward sins of omission and commission. At the end of each chapter, the authors suggest practical tools for readers to apply what they are … [Read more...]