"Composition as Conversation" (Heather M. Hoover)

TITLE: Composition as Conversation: Seven Virtues for Effective Writing
AUTHOR: Heather M. Hoover
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2023, (176 pages).
 

In general, there are four ways in which we can communicate. We can read and write. We can also hear and speak. All of these ways help us to better comprehend and converse with others. However, academic writing is a different beast altogether. It can be dry or downright boring. As the author points out: "academic writing should cultivate lively discussion and promote critical and creative thinking." How do we do that? Author-Professor Heather Hoover poses this to her students, whose feedback led to this book. The purpose is to utilize the power of words to inspire others. She highlights seven ways in which writing leads to "conversational virtues." She begins with the basic task to "Be Curious" by asking appropriate questions. These questions are often open-ended and need to demonstrate a genuine desire to want to connect with others. Asking good questions can help but its effectiveness can be limited. It requires a kind of asking that shows forth a genuine interest to hear the responses. Such a task requires some level of "humility, risk, and commitment." She lists various ways to help us build our vocabulary of interesting questions. The second virtue is that of attentiveness. She points out the difference between writing for writing's sake versus writing for others' sake.

"Low Anthropology" (David Zahl)

TITLE: Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself)
AUTHOR: David Zahl
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2022, (208 pages).
 

Do not let the title of the book fool you. This is not a graduate-level textbook about human nature. It is essentially about how we think about human behavior. The title might seem intimidating at first but the contents are inviting. In order to satisfy the curious, author David Zahl at the onset defines anthropology as the "operative theory of human nature." He then gives us a spectrum of examples of what high and low anthropology is all about. In a nutshell, "high anthropology" covers grand optimism about the goodness of being human, that people are basically good, who tend to be at their best behavior usually, altruistic, and also constantly positive about life. It is a path to achieving success as much as possible. At the other end of the spectrum is low anthropology, where sentiments like brokenness, heartaches, self-doubts, shame, and negative perceptions live. It is a path to avoiding failure at all costs. Then, Zahl gives us a twist. The way to higher anthropology is via the paths of low anthropology. He observes that his most effective sermons over his 20 years of preaching are the ones assuming the audience is suffering in some way, or in some area of need. This spurs the making of this book. With society constantly crying out for help, perhaps, the way forward is to begin from where the people are. The premise of this book is that if we want to grow authentically forward, we need to start where we are, be honest with ourselves, about who we are, and learn to experience life as grace. In other words, the way we see human nature will determine how well we behave and live in this world.

"Breaking Ground" (Anne Snyder and Susannah Black, editors)

TITLE: Breaking Ground: Charting Our Future in a Pandemic Year
AUTHOR: (Anne Snyder and Susannah Black, editors)
PUBLISHER: Walden, NY: Plough Publishing House, 2022, (400 pages).

If there is any specific life-changing event at the turn of this decade, it would nonetheless be Covid-19. Never before have there been so many deaths, fears, disruptions to the local economy, and global repercussions for the general public, businesses, friends, families, and loved ones. From multinational corporations to non-profits like charities and churches, the arms of the pandemic have spread like wildfires affecting every continent, every country, and every culture. In early 2020, a group of thoughtful individuals came together to ask the question: "What would a post-pandemic world look like?" Refusing to accept a mere "Things will never be the same again," the contributors boldly attempt to see the future through renewed thinking of the many facets of life we have often taken for granted. That is not all. Even after removing the pandemic factor, there remains a deep-seated self-deception among people that they are presumed correct until proven otherwise. That sets the stage for arrogance and pride that refuses to learn, to the detriment of our future generations. We need a way to help us humbly learn from our mistakes and to break new ground for growth and human progress. This collection of essays is written by individuals who hail as cultural critics, scholars, speakers, businesspersons, professors, psychologists, philosophers, poets, political observers, professionals, researchers, venture capitalists, and many more. Written between June 2020 to June 2021, the writers explore issues pertaining to three types of needs, the need to:

"100 Poems to Break Your Heart" (Edward Hirsch)

TITLE: 100 Poems to Break Your Heart
AUTHOR: Edward Hirsch
PUBLISHER: Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2021, (512 pages).

"We live in distracting times," writes one of the most popular poets in our modern era. In the midst of widespread superficiality, we need a more down-to-earth reality. Driven by an overwhelming rush for success, we often do not spend time licking our wounds of failure, reflecting on setbacks, or grieving over losses. Busyness could be a convenient coverup for emotional weakness or vulnerability. The difference between prose and poetry is quite well-known. Prose tends to be relatively direct while poetry requires time to digest. It also takes on a more pragmatic mode rather than imaginative; information-driven vs experience-led; utilitarian vs expressiveness; and so on. Poetry on the other hand gives one the freedom to express our feelings that allows us to use a variety of literary art such as art, music, or various methods of illumination. There is more freedom of expression, something that adequately sways with the feelings of the poet. Poet Edward Hirsch gives us a powerful collection of poems from various contributors, both past and present. He writes this book of poems as a way to invite us into a world of how many people have expressed their hurts, pains, and struggles. People from the past such as William Wordsworth who mourns his daughter's death with a poem "Surprised by Joy" or Alfred Lord Tennyson's "In Memoriam" that describes his distress over the passing of a dear friend. People in the present such as Mary Oliver who mourns the loss of loons due to lead poisoning in New England where her poem "Lead" laments the failure to protect the environment we live in. Anne Sexton's "Wanting to Die" is a counsel for a friend wanting to commit suicide. Muriel Rukeyser's "Poem" is an anti-war cry. Anya Krogovoy Silver's "Persimmon" is a mindful meandering over fruit in the midst of cancer. Michael Collier's "An Individual History" expresses the struggles and pain of seeing one's grandmother going through a potpourri of medication and drug side-effects. Philip Schultz's "Failure" expresses a humiliating situation where one needs to borrow money from his father's debtor to pay for his father's funeral. 

"Humble Roots" (Hannah Anderson)

TITLE: Humble Roots: How Humility Grounds and Nourishes Your Soul
AUTHOR: Hannah Anderson
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2016, (208 pages).

We live in a world where stress is commonly felt; anxiety evident in the faces of many; and restlessness driving our efforts every where we go. We try to perform well because we want to keep our jobs. We want to prove ourselves worthy for various reasons. We are trapped in the non-stop spiral of expectations that never seem to back down. With a competitive environment, many of us have felt the pressure of having to maintain a step ahead of our closest rivals. What if there is a way to nourish our inner soul without being tarnished by outer expectations? What if we are not driven by that need to perform but led by a quiet confidence and trust? What if the way ahead is not arrogance and pride but restfulness and humility? In this book, author Hannah Anderson explores the roots of restfulness and finds that in the promise of Jesus in Matthew 11:28 which says: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

"Invitation to Philippians" (Donald R. Sunukjian)

TITLE: Invitation to Philippians: Building a Great Church through Humility (Biblical Preaching for the Contemporary Church)
AUTHOR: Donald R. Sunukjian
PUBLISHER: Wooster, OH: Weaver Book Company, 2014, (124 pages).

Based on a popular preaching textbook (Invitation to Biblical Preaching) used by many students of preaching, author Donald Sunukjian continues with this new volume of sermons on biblical preaching for the contemporary Church. In this edition, readers will find fourteen sermons that were originally preached before a congregation, and slightly edited to fit readers instead of hearers. Currently a homiletics professor at Talbot School of Theology, with doctorates in communications and theology, Sunukjian has both the academic credentials and the pastoral experiences to teach us the art of biblical preaching. The big idea in this book is how the Apostle Paul helps to build a "great Church through humility." The Church at Philippi was the only one that had supported Paul financially. They were dear people in his heart. He encouraged the Philippians for their faithfulness and their resilience in the midst of trials. By structuring the whole letter in a chiastic fashion, readers will find the central characters of humility and self-sacrifice in the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus.

Sunukjian's Chiastic Structure of Philippians

With the above as the preaching framework, readers are set to learn from one of the best preachers in the evangelical world. Each sermon begins with a catchy story to highlight the problem at hand. It is quickly followed up with a contextual description behind the passage. Interweaving flashbacks to the past and relevance to the present, Sunukjian expounds the biblical texts with clarity and with purpose. He typically ends with a call to the good news as expressed in Paul's letter.

Readers may ask: How is humility demonstrated in this book? Frankly, that is the essence of Philippians in the first place. For the uninitiated, Sunukjian brings in elements of love, obedience to Scripture, posture of gratitude, letting God be first, perseverance in spite of trouble, salvation and deliverance, and many more.

How do we read this book? For those of us who are students of homiletics and preaching, this book needs to be used in conjunction with the main textbook, "Invitation to Biblical Preaching" by the same author. This book complements by putting the principles introduced in that book into practice. Second, learn the way Sunukjian bridges the ancient and the modern with stories, everyday language, and of course, the biblical picture. Finally, the casual reader will have a lot to benefit too, as the sermons not just teach us, but show us the way to learn humility in Christ.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Weaver Book Company and Cross-Focused-Reviews in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Humility" (David J. Bobb)

TITLE: Humility: An Unlikely Biography of America's Greatest Virtue
AUTHOR: David J. Bobb
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: Thomas-Nelson, 2013, (230 pages).

True greatness comes not with power and might, but with humility and grace. As far as America's founding fathers are concerned, the exercise of humility is the key difference between ancient Rome and the America they want. In this book, Bobb looks at how important humility is with regards to the building of a nation. Throughout the book, Bobb emphasizes that "greatness and humility need not be opposed to each other." Rather, humility herself is powerful in ways that the powers at different eras, including those of this age still fail to comprehend. People such as Plato who believes that the "magnanimous man" is only answerable to self. There is Machiavelli who sees humility more as an instrument rather than a virtue, or Thomas Hobbes who sees humility more as a threat to any politics.  Bobb then pits them against Jesus, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas' view of how humility is not just a means to an end, but the very essence of true humanity.

As an executive director of citizen education for Hillsdale College, and lecturer in politics, Dr David Bobb helps us to see that humility is not just the founding virtue of true greatness, it is vital for virtuous governance in any country. In order to flesh out his thesis, Bobb sets forth five examples of great individual leaders whose hallmark for success is humility over all other traits. George Washington was not just the first American President, he was also one who not once, but twice, opted to leave power when he was at his peak. He could have held on to power. He could have worded the constitution for his own benefit. He could have created a dynasty. Yet, he chose to stay away from the limelight when he could. The second example is James Madison (1751-1836), also known as the "Father of the Constitution." Madison believed that one can never stop improving, and sought to create a constitution that will protect the weak, and loved to operate behind the scenes without the limelight. In fact, he was a proponent of limiting power rather than increasing power. The third example is Abigail Adams, wife of the second President of the United States, John Adams (1735-1826), also the President's closest confidante. She helped shaped the modesty and humility of her husband. Instead of climbing the social ladder of influence and power, Abigail's magnanimous spirit helped raise the character of John to be a better man. The fourth example is Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865), the 16th President of the United States. Born with humble roots, Lincoln was able to recognize ambition and arrogance, and how the two can combine to flip one to the wrong side of morality. By being committed to hear from various people, even his opponents, he became one of the nation's most respected leader, showing us that the way to true greatness is humility and modesty. Finally, Frederick Douglas (1818-1895), a black man committed to the abolitionist movement, fought injustice not with arrogance but modesty. For him, "slavery was a self-perpetuating cycle of disordered pride and debased conduct." Even among his fellow blacks, he recognized forms of pride and arrogance. His case was a delicate balance between humiliation of being a slave and humility when fighting slavery. One can fight for truth, but how one fights is another matter altogether.

Bobb's book is a timely reminder that if we are not careful, we may enjoy the success of Rome and also suffer the downfall caused by Roman arrogance. America is not there yet, but it can dangerously copy the fateful path of Rome.  We all need to be reminded that arrogance and pride are closer than we think. Only the weapons of humility and modesty can move us farther away from these threats. This book is indeed an unlikely biography of America's truest and greatest success. It is not the power and might that defines a nation. It is the virtues and the values of humanity that will help a nation flourish and be an example for the rest of the world to follow. As I reflect on this, I am reminded once again that leaders are important, doing the right things are important, and fighting for what is right is also important. Let these not hide the fact that behind each righteous act or deed lies a person who needs the God of righteousness for help. Greatness and humility can co-exist.


Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Thomas-Nelson and BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Humilitas" (John Dickson)

TITLE: Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership
AUTHOR: John Dickson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011, (208 pages).

Whenever I read a book on humility, I wonder how qualified the author is. It is a strange paradox. If humility is such an illusive thing where the humble refuse to acknowledge one is humble, can anyone who is not humble ever write about humility? This dilemma is exactly what John Dickson felt right at the beginning of the book. Whether one admits or denies, it is hard to capture the essence of humility. So Dickson takes the approach of learning from history, and to lean on past wisdom and traditions. A historian by profession, Dickson tries to unpack two things: the aesthetic and the practical nature of humility. The key thesis of the book is that "the most influential and inspiring people are often marked by humility." He defines humility as follows:

"Humility is the noble choice to forgo your status, deploy your resources or use your influence for the good of others before yourself. More simply, you could say the humble person is marked by a willingness to hold power in service of others." (24)

In other words, humility comprises three elements: it presupposes the dignity of others; it is a choice; and it is self-deprecation for the sake of others. He then proposes ten reasons in which humility is important. Firstly, humility is the mark of authentic leadership. While ability and conferred authority are also marks, it is the practice of persuasion and example that truly enable humility to shine as leadership traits. Secondly, humility is not about people high up or way down somewhere, but is of common sense heritage.  It holds together a keen awareness of one's limitations as well as one's inherent worth. Thirdly, humility is beautiful, not something to be worn, but something to be appreciated, cherished, admired, and be transformed. Fourthly, not every culture sees humility the same way. During the Roman and Greek era, it is noble to seek good honour, where modesty is preferred over humiliation. Fifth, our modern understanding and widespread appreciation of humility begins at the Cross of Jesus, of how Jesus becomes servant and model of true humility. Six, there is a practical benefit of humility. It slows pride, builds self-esteem and positions one to be ready for growth. Seven, humility can be persuasive through influence and character. Eight, humility is inspiring. Nine, humility is better than tolerance. In fact, far better than tolerance or reactions against intolerance is an intentional work toward harmony. Finally, the author presents six steps to grow in humility.

1. Allowing us to be shaped by what we love, believing that our actions shape our thoughts.
2. Reflecting on the lives of humble people, to learn from them.
3. Conducting thought experiments to put ourselves on a lower rung of society or an underprivileged position
4. Acting humbly makes us learn from our own actions
5. Inviting criticism
6. Forgetting about ourselves trying to be humble

My Thoughts

This is a very unique book that represents not only impressive scholarship and critical thinking, but also self-deprecating humility in three ways. First, the author acknowledges and learns openly from the history, tradition, and various faith persuasions. Second, the author writes introspectively, always aware of the presence of pride even as he writes. Third, he applies his thesis cautiously with very practical steps for modern readers wanting a how-to perspective. In fact, Dickson readily admits he is not humble, and that his steps may not apply to all. The tone is inviting rather than intimidating. What I appreciate is that whenever Dickson writes on topics away from his field of expertise, he is ready to admit he is not the expert, and he proves that with examples and stories of people he respects. This book brings hope to those of us feeling lost about how to go about being humble. His six thoughts above about preparing one toward humble living is worth remembering. I like the way he ends with CS Lewis's thoughts about humility.

"If anyone would like to acquire humility, I can, I think, tell him the first step. The first step is to realise that one is proud. And a biggish step, too. At least, nothing whatever can be done before it. If you think you are not conceited, it means you are very conceited indeed." (CS Lewis, Mere Christianity, London: Collins, reprint 1986, 112)

Provocative but brilliant.

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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"What Does the Lord Require?" (James C. Howell)

TITLE: What Does the Lord Require? - Doing Justice, Loving Kindness, Walking Humbly
AUTHOR: James C. Howell
PUBLISHER: Louisvilled, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2012.

This is a book about the Old Testament book, Micah 6:8. It explores the person of Micah. It explains the biblical contexts. It touches on how listeners perceive the message then, and its relevance for modern readers. Most of all, it looks to the God that the prophet Micah is pointing to. Obedience to God will lead to true fulfillment and will satisfy one's deepest desires.

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)

Micah is a man more in tune with God, compared to the religious leaders of that day. What stands Micah apart was his boldness to denounce the greed and bullying happening during that time, as well as his boldness to point people to hope in God. It is essentially an exposition of the verse. It goes through each of the three verbal emphases: 'Do justice; Love Kindness; and Walk humbly.'

Before jumping into the three things, Howell tells us that God has shown us what is good BEFORE asking us to do good. This pattern is so consistent with the nature of God, where He shows us the way so that we know the way to obey. He patiently points out the essence of 'require.' In Hebrew, the word is darao, which is a continual longing, a desire that grows and grows to do the three things.

An insight comes forth quickly, that the three things are actually one and the same act of love. Justice needs loving kindness. Kindness is needed in humility. Humble living goes hand in hand with justice. The author calls the line between the three as 'blurry.' This is important for it helps us to see the whole verse as one verse. It enables us to practice all together.

Justice is something  that is 'done' rather than talked about. The word 'mishpat' is actually the law. Contrary to modern conceptions of desiring to be free from following laws, there is a risk of missing the opportunity to obey the laws that lead to a happier and more liberating life. True obedience to laws lead to freedom, not bondage.

The third thing that Howell talks about is the nature of 'walk humbly.' 'Hatzneia' means the opposite of pride and arrogance. It is aiming toward a 'downward mobility' of lesser greatness for self. It is an attitude that is so focused on God, that one does not have time to inflate the self.

The book concludes powerfully by stressing how the three things required of Israel is actually a reflection of God's character as well. This book may be small, but I advise the reader to take time to drink from the well of wisdom and the exposition of the Word. It comes also with discussion questions which should double up as a book cum Bible study materials. There is also a leaders guide.

Great book!

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is supplied to me free by Westminster John Knox Press and NetGalley without any obligation for a positive review. The comments given are freely mine.