"Tending the Fire That Burns at the Center of the World" (David F. White)

TITLE: Tending the Fire That Burns at the Center of the World: Beauty and the Art of Christian Formation
AUTHOR: David F. White
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2022, (192 pages).
 

There is a saying that claims in a subjective sense, that beauty is according to the eyes of the beholder. In other words, if one thinks it is beautiful, then it is. Otherwise, it is not. That is how many love relationships begin. What if beauty is not just something that is subjective? What if the revelation of Truth is beauty in itself? What if admiring beauty draws us closer to Truth and the Giver of all Truth: God? In a book that goes beyond criticizing subjective mindsets, author David White shows us the real issue of how modernity has reduced the search for Truth into pieces of facts and tangibles that have little bearing on the significance of faith, mystery, and transcendence. This book's premise is that beauty is "a way of attending to God’s speech that awakens, empowers, and forms us in Christ’s lovely way." The author laments how modernity has alienated mankind by suggesting a limited form of objectivity. Descartes and Kant popularized the Enlightenment as "I think  therefore I am." Pragmatists claim that "I do, therefore I am." Some modernists even teach us about the primacy of feelings, "I feel therefore I am." All these philosophies are reductionists at their very core. White asserts that the Christian faith pushes back against all of these frameworks by recognizing the importance of  the "hallowing of all incarnate matter." Using art and beauty as ways to inculcate Christian formation, the way forward is toward wholeness and holistic living. Christianity encourages aesthetic spirituality that leads not only to awareness but an encounter with the living God. Thankfully, White does not commit the same errors of reductionism by reducing spirituality to the domain of aestheticism and beauty. Beauty inspires, not replaces the need for spiritual exercises or abstract theology in tending the spiritual fire. White begins with a description of beauty as the start of any "social imaginary" or initial assumptions, against the widespread use of rational analysis. 

"Mouth of the Donkey" (Laura Duhan-Kaplan)

TITLE: Mouth of the Donkey: Re-imagining Biblical Animals
AUTHOR: Laura Duhan-Kaplan
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2021, (94 days).
 

Children are often fascinated with animals. They ask interesting questions like, "What does this animal eat?" "If this animal fights against the leopard, will it win?" "Will the deer outrun the tiger?" For Sunday School teachers and those teaching children in churches, animals in the Bible often bring out curiosity in kids. That is why animal narratives in the Bible are some of the most popular stories to tell little children. They paint Noah's Ark with glee. They imagine pairs of animals living inside the ark. They participate in plays that reenact Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt. Even the Old Testament prophecies give us images of sheep, lambs, wolves, and many others. Animals are not just the domain of children. Adults too sing the classic hymn, "All Creatures of our Lord and King," as well as the popular choruses, "As the Deer" and "Lion of Judah." How do we interpret the use of animals in the Bible? According to author and professor, Laura Duhan-Kaplan, she adopts a four-level interpretation based on Kabbalistic teachings. 

1. Plain literal (peshat)
2. Exposition of recurring ethical themes (derash)
3. Allegorical (remez)
4. Secret allusions to God's nature (sod)

"Of the Earth" (Kim Cousins)

TITLE:  Of the Earth

AUTHOR: Kim Cousins
PUBLISHER: Eugene, OR: Resource Publications, 2021, (224 pages).

War, Authority, Rebellion, Power, Control, Peacekeepers, End-times. People who run and those who run after others. Fall of America. Veterans fighting another war. Miracles. A New World. Animals that talk. Daring escapes. Biblical references. These and many more fill the pages of this captivating fiction that combines creative story-telling peppered with biblical truths. Right from the first page, this action-packed thriller will keep readers glued to the pages. There are incidents of heroism and sacrifice for the sake of the community. The good residents worked together and ensured adequate provisions for one another.  The enemies schemed to eradicate all resistance without mercy. The resistance remained faithful to the end. Amid the tension and the constant threats of attacks from the Peacemakers, many of the heroic characters maintained their faith in God, with the help of prayers from pastors, encouragement from believers, and good deeds that warm hearts. 
On top of the wars happening, then come the plagues that ravage the population. Every chapter contains references to biblical images showing us that this book is not merely fiction. It comes with stark reminders that the story in the book has biblical underpinnings that we all need to be aware of. Such as God's love for the world; miracles; hope for a better world to come; betrayals among family members; the mark of the beast; the casting out of demons; and several more. It is like seeing how God's Word comes alive through the events and conversations among the characters. 

This book is a thriller that could keep us at the edges of our seats. I applaud the author for her ability to weave so many characters together. It takes a clear vision of the entire storyline to develop each character without losing track of the main plot. Having the animal conversations in italics also help readers to distinguish between human and animal speak. I must admit that it takes a while to get used to this animal talk, but readers would get used to it quite quickly. The list of characters is a giveaway as to the many characters readers need to keep track of. This is one good clean Christian fiction that should make a good gift this Christmas.

Kim Cousins is a retired academic advisor from the University of Minnesota Crookston. She is the author of Rule Keepers (2020) in potatosoupjournal.com and Evolving Interactions in Higher Education Change (2011) in National Association of Student Affairs Professions. Kim lives on a farm in Tennessee with her husband, Woodie, and an amusing group of animals. Her family includes five children, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

Conrade

"A More Christlike Word" (Bradley Jersak)

TITLE: A More Christlike Word: Reading Scripture the Emmaus Way
AUTHOR: Bradley Jersak
PUBLISHER: New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, 2021, (288 pages).

How do we read the Bible? What do we mean by the Bible as the Final Authority for our faith? How do we apply the Truths revealed? These questions might seem elementary but they are important questions that need to be asked frequently. The Bible is the revealed Word of God and the more we understand the Word, the better for Bible believers and practitioners. Like the two disciples struggling to understand the Scriptures when they were on their way to Emmaus, author and professor Bradley Jersak brings us back to the Emmaus experience in Luke 24, how Jesus helped shed light on interpretation. He does this by following Peter Enns's five words for biblical interpretation. 

• Genre-Calibration: Be aware of the genre of the text concerned;
• Christotelic: Reframe the story of Israel toward the Person of Jesus Christ
• Incarnational: Read the Bible both as God's Word and Christ the Living Word;
• Ecumenical: Be open to the different readings and interpretations from the different Christian faith traditions;
• Pilgrimage: Be humble to learn on the way.

"Unchurching" (Richard Jacobson)

TITLE: Unchurching, Christianity without Churchianity
AUTHOR: Richard Jacobson
PUBLISHER: Independent, 2016.

What is the Church? How is the Church of today different from the Church in the book of Acts? Has Christianity been replaced by Churchianity? These are questions which author and ex-pastor Richard Jacobson attempts to answer. Creator of the original "Church Anarchist," the website of "Christianity without Churchianity" is now called "Unchurching." Beginning with his experience of a "crisis of faith," he gives several reasons for his disillusionment with the modern Church. He quits his position as a pastor in 2003 due to such a "crisis" and especially because of the way Church is done. Like worship taking place mainly in buildings rather than other gathering places; or activities that seem to be disconnected from biblical imperatives; and authoritarian structures that seem most human centered rather than God-centered. So he sets out to "deconstruct" the existing institutional church in the hope that he can arrive closer to the original church. At the root of it all is his assertion that the Church of today has totally lost its resemblance to the Early Church.

"Live Like You Give a Damn!" (Tom Sine)

TITLE: Live Like You Give a Damn!: Join the Changemaking Celebration
AUTHOR: Tom Sine
PUBLISHER: Eugene OR: Cascade Books, 2016, (228 pages).

There is a renewed energy growing. This is not about the establishment, the successes of the past, or the words of the rich and the famous. This growing phenomenon is in the young people living in ways the past generations have never seen before. Hold your horses people. The younger generation is back and they are changing the world in more ways than one. They are not the "whatever" generation who do not care. Instead, they are passionate about their ideals; energetic about their ideas; and are already making a difference in the world at various contexts of their lives. How are they making a difference? Tom Sine, author of "Mustard Seed vs McWorld" has noticed several ways in which the younger generation have done so and are doing more and more. The key purpose of this book is not just to describe the innovative changemaking initiatives that are happening, but to invite readers and people from other generations to be excited, and to join in. Rather than to lament on the so-called declining Church, why not celebrate the wonderful imaginative work done by those 35 and under? Instead of focusing on activities pertaining to Church only, what about extending it to neighbours as well? Tom Sine and his wife Christine lives in a an intergenerational community house where they participate in gardening, cooking, and various forms of hospitality and service to neighbours and friends. Sine prides himself as a "disorientating" person to help others think out of the box.

"Jesus, Bread, and Chocolate" (John J. Thompson)

TITLE: Jesus, Bread, and Chocolate: Crafting a Handmade Faith in a Mass-Market World
AUTHOR: John J. Thompson
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2015, (272 pages).

Are we content to feed on pre-packaged food? What about instant religion or ready-made faith? Probably, if you are like me, you would be giving such things a pass. You would prefer something more natural, more organic, deeper authenticity, and more carefully crafted work or lovingly prepared food. A veteran in the music world, John Thompson is Creative Director at Capitol CMG Publishing who is a music critic, publisher, manager of gospel songwriters, band member at a pub, as well as a pastor of Warehouse Church in Aurora, Illinois. He blogs at www.ThinkChristian.net and lives in East Nashville, Tennessee with his wife and four children.

We are living in a "undernourished and overfed" culture. In the words of John Thompson, our proclamation of the gospel has lost its "twang." The pre-packaged religion do not cut it. Mass-produced spirituality don't satisfy. Neither is canned types of faith. Maybe, if we can start all over and to go back to the basics of life instead of gorging on copious amounts of manufactured religious stuff. Maybe, as we retreat to the pace of "hand-made faith" or taking things more naturally and slowly, we can re-discover the twang that we all need so desperately. Thus begins a journey of spiritual search for meaning and significance in this interestingly titled book. In this book, Thompson goes all the way back to his younger years, living with an abusive father. After an amazing conversion, the father even became a pastor of a small church. Unfortunately, the changes wear off quickly and soon the abuses came back and the family had to flee. As a Generation Xer, Thompson is all too familiar with all things consumerism, pop culture, and technology. Passionate with all things Jesus, by a tender age of 15, Thompson was ready to rock the world with music, and to create a "culturally relevant community." Not only that, he is ready to go back to the roots of it all, including roasting his own coffee beans. One of his driving themes is his belief about life and people.

"Pray Like a Gourmet" (David Brazzeal)

TITLE: Pray Like a Gourmet: Creative Ways to Feed Your Soul (Active Prayer)
AUTHOR: David Brazzeal
PUBLISHER: Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press, 2015, (192 pages).

How we eat our physical meals can be quite an accurate reflection of how we feed our souls. Are we constantly rushing through meals in order to get back to our work? Do we go for the most familiar restaurant joints and select the usual cheaper options? Maybe we are used to drive-through convenience that opts for the standard fare? What if we can inject some creativity into our eating or ordering? In this very well-illustrated and creative book on how to pray, author David Brazzeal, together with Dutch illustrator Willemijn de Groot have put together "creative ways to feed your soul." Written in three parts, we catch a glimpse of what it takes to set up a kitchen for prayer; which is followed by basic recipes for prayer; and finally the praying.

Brazzel whets our appetite by enticing us to go beyond normal ordinary fare such as fast-food, cheap joints, and predictable meals. He show us how to acquire a taste by hungering and thirsting after the really good stuff, and parallels them to seeking after God. Preparing to pray includes praise, just like the way St Francis of Assisi's had prayed. From Richard Foster, he learns about imagination in prayer. From Evelyn Underhill, he learns that spirituality and creativity are both on the same side of the brain. From Peter Lord, he learns that our creativity is most beautiful when it is in sync with the Holy Spirit. He shows us how to creatively choose a meal, just like seeing the Bible as the first book, the middle, and the last. This parallels the regular meal set of appetizer, entree, and dessert. He is particularly critical of fast food that never gives us time to cultivate relationships; of junk food that offers little substance to our self-centered praying; and processed food that limits ourselves to devotions and prayers of other people. On forms of prayer, he reminds us of the popular ACTS acronym before challenging us toward Observation; Intercession; Meditation; Contemplation; Blessing; Lamenting; and Joining. Gradually, we involve the gourmet of choices to let our prayers involve body, heart, mind, and soul.

Part Two is the main dish where we learn about the 11 ways to pray. We praise by telling the greatness of God. We thank God for what He had done. We confess our sins as we deal with life's realities. We bless the world with goodness as we pray blessings from God upon the land we live. We observe the world, especially nature, and to simply see without analyzing or watch without the urge to solve something. We lament the reality of the world, especially the sad things happening around us. We also lament on things that are beyond our control. We learn to meditate and to contemplate, which may not be easily understood or differentiated. For meditation, it is about learning to reflect silently with the Spirit of God leading us. Brazzeal shares with us that "Meditation is stimulated by something external: a text, a quote, a sound, an image, a thought, or even a repetitive action, while Contemplation deals with the purely internal: silence, stillness, void, release, and the lack of emphasis on reasoning and rational thought."

He leaves the asking quite late in the process, which is a curious decision because prayers have often been associated with asking for things in the first place. He admits that the chapter on asking is the "hardest chapter" because as he grows in his journey and gourmet of prayer, he finds the asking less as less desirable, once he experiences the other element of prayer. He settles on a type of asking that is "less self-absorbed and more God-focussed." This is a good lesson for us too. This is quickly followed by interceding which is about advocating for the needs of others. At one look, it seems like the asking and the interceding are the same thing, the former being more other-centered and the latter being praying for others. What's the difference? The author does not offer any clear explanation but as I read the chapters, it appears to me that "asking" to be more God-centered and other-concerned is a conscious decision to put ourselves less important; while the "interceding" is to put God and others as more important. The difference is subtle. In joining, we pray with God's mission in mind, to be reminded that our concerns are merely a speck in the larger world of God.

Part Three of the book show us how to spread everywhere the joy of prayer. When showering, learn to see the steam as a chance to thank God for the presence of the Spirit; to experience the waters on our bodies as a way to reminisce the baptism of the Spirit; the scrubbing of the skin as cleansing; and to the wrapping of the body as being embraced by the Spirit; and so on. Even in swimming, we can learn to pray. Gradually, we come back to the dining atmosphere where we can bless all who gathered with thanksgiving; picnic moments; to the worship time in Church. Finally, there is the clearing of the table which we can also pray.

So What?

We eat at least two to three meals daily. We are exhorted to pray frequently too. One of the most regular times of prayer is the time just before we tuck in the next meal. Christians often pause for a moment; say a prayer of thanks; and then eat away. For some, these are the only times they pray. If there is a way to bring this regularity of eating and to inculcate a more prayerful life, why not?  In this book, we are exhorted not only to pray frequently but also to pray widely. Praying like a gourmet is essentially praying lavishly, unselfishly, and generously. Full of ideas that are simple and doable, after reading this book, it will not be surprising that readers would want to simply pause and put the prayers directly into practice. This is how powerful the book is.

Written with practice in mind, the book is concise in its theory and extensive in its applications. I love the colours used in the book which reflects a desire to bring colour into our praying. While the book is brief, it covers a lot of ground as far as learning how to pray is concerned. With many tips, pointers, and to the point challenges, readers will be happy to learn that there are more ways to pray. Hopefully, this book will help readers catch a glimpse at why the prayer warriors and spiritual leaders of the past are able to pray so constantly, so consistently, and so passionately. If there is a modern equivalent of Brother Lawrence's "Practice of the Presence of God," this book will be very up close and personal.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of Paraclete Press and SpeakEasy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Made in the USA" (Alisa Jordheim)

TITLE: Made in the U.S.A.: The Sex Trafficking of America's Children
AUTHOR: Alisa Jordheim
PUBLISHER: Oviedo, FL: HigherLife Publishing, 2014, (288 pages).

The problem is not overseas. The problem is very much closer to home. In fact, it is right at our backyard! If we do not see the vulnerability of children to sex exploitation, traffickers will anyway. This is the underlying concern that leads to a passionate fight against a global epidemic: Sex Trafficking, Exploitation, and Child Abuse. From Asia to Europe, Africa to the Americas, the problem is the same that cuts across racial, ethnic, gender, and all classes. Right from chapter 1, readers will be shocked by the African, East European, Asian children coerced into the sex trade at a very early age. Gradually, the problem moves closer to home where young girls are lured into the sex industry as pimps and traffickers use their expert hunting skills to rein in the vulnerable. Jordheim does not mince her words. In fact, page after page, the message screams out that the problem is right at our door step, so much so that according to one, the only way to miss out is not to look for it. According to Founder and Executive Director of Justice Society, Alisa Jordheim, there has been lots of attention given to overseas concerns, but little toward domestic areas. She writes with this in mind, beginning with descriptions of the sex trafficking problem far away, and then drawing readers to recognize the problem close by. She highlights the problem in a highly sexualized culture that blurs the line between adults and children, and makes commercializing sex seems ok. She blasts the rise of pornography, the sexually explicit materials in public, loose language, that these simply grooms the local culture to become very similar to what is happening elsewhere. In fact, Jordheim maintains that the problem at home is no smaller than the problem far far away.

"Mainliner’s survival guide to the post-denominational world" (Derek Penwell)

TITLE: The Mainliner's Survival Guide to the Post-Denominational World
AUTHOR: Derek Penwell
PUBLISHER: St Loius, MO: Chalice Press, 2014, (192 pages).

Many people have talked about dying Churches. Even friends I know have mentioned the decline in their Church ministries or overall numbers each Sunday. The truth is, the Church generally is on a decline. Quoting various statistics to support this claim, Derek Penwell has painted a grim picture of a decline across all mainline denominations. So much so that many churches are asking how much longer their congregation is going to last. While acknowledging the negativity about the future of the mainline Church, Penwell prefers to adopt a hopeful posture. If someone is suffering from Stage IV cancer, what would we do? Would we drown ourselves in discouraging that person, or would we stand up to fight to the very end? Using this metaphor for the declining Church, the purpose of this book is to read the situation appropriately and make the best out of whatever remaining years ahead. It is not about anticipating death. It is about surviving through the years when alive. Penwell, author, speaker, and senior minister of Douglass Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) writes this book about hope in the midst of hopelessness. He says that the gospel is about "failure and death" and God embraced that. Making a reference to the post Revolutionary War period, Penwell points out that time also as a period that seeds the Second Great Awakening. During that time, the Church was also in decline, like our present. During that time, there was great apathy toward the Church, just like ours. During that time, there were skepticism and negativity toward the institutions, just like ours. During that time, people wanted to be free of ecclesiastical or political meddling, just like ours! In the same way, the success of the Great Awakening contributed a lot to the apathy toward the Church, just like our present crisis which came after the most recent revival. Like the generations that participated in the great revivals of old, these very people are also passionate about "equality, mission, and social justice."

"The Art of Helping Others" (Douglas C. Mann)

TITLE: The Art of Helping Others: How Artists Can Serve God and Love the World
AUTHOR: Douglas C. Mann
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2014, (144 pages).

Is there a link between art and religion? How can creativity be embedded in worship? Is there such a thing as a "Christian artist?" Is art irrelevant to the ministry of social justice and service? What is the role of "Christian art?" This book explores the above questions and many more from the standpoint of "creative incitement" which refers to a creative way to bring out the self-awareness, the artist and the activist in us. Douglas Mann is a published songwriter, a former music and book business executive who had not only discovered the beauty of art, he has embraced the calling to help others discover their creative calling. In this book, Mann has brought together two key concepts: Creativity and "incitement" which comes from the latin word incitare meaning "to awaken, to bring out of sleep." The process of discovering one's calling begins with awareness.

Awareness means discovering that something that we are willing to lose everything for. It means letting our self-identity shapes the art or works we create. It means knowing ourselves as we let ourselves be known in the artistic creations we embark upon. At the same time, it is also that awareness that calling is not easily dampened by pain and suffering. In fact, it can energize one to do things that surpass one's understanding. At the same time, pride needs to be checked, lest it dumbs down what God is trying to do in us in the first place. It is being aware of our calling to be "creative inciters" that dares to take risks, that not only revolts at the injustice we see but re-ignites a desire to do something about it. It moves away from "what if" thinking toward a "why not" mentality. After all, Jesus was an artist, a storyteller, a master of creative communications. The downside of being a creative artist is to become "fishers of Zen" when hard times befall us, and render us staring down at the gutter of grime and dirt and missing out on gazing at the stars in the sky.

"The New Covenant" (Bob Emery)

TITLE: The New Covenant
AUTHOR: Bob Emery
PUBLISHER: Charlottesville, VA: BenchPress Publishing, 2012, (436 pages).

There has been several books that have attempted to tell the story of the Bible through narratives and fictional conversations. With the facts of the Bible as the background, authors generally will attempt to do their best guess on what exactly happened in a way that engages the reader like a fiction novel does. Some of them includes Walter Wangerin Jr's "The Book of God," which also tells the story of the Bible as a novel. This book by Bob Emery falls in the same genre of narrative storytelling, using the "New Covenant" as the big idea that holds three major sections together.

Written as a series of dialogues between the apostle John, Titus, and Paul, the entire period begins at the Garden of Gethsemane, and ends with Revelation. The author, President and Founder of Global Opportunities for Christ has two main purposes for writing this book. The first is to be able to retell the story of the New Testament and to describe the events of the early Christians and their struggles. The second purpose is to draw out spiritual lessons for contemporary times. At 436 pages, the book is a thick read like some of the 400-500 pages novel. For Emery, the key reason why he wrote this book is to instill in readers a proper understanding of the New Covenant.

In Section One entitled, "The Messenger," the narrative looks closely at the circumstances surrounding Jesus' crucificion, his resurrection, his ascension, and how the New Covenant was established. With John as the first person, the fictional conversations between him, Titus, Paul, and others record the story of how the gospel spreads from Jerusalem to the rest of the world.

Section Two, "The Message" centers on how the covenant appears like in the minds of first-century believers, and how it has caused many conflicts and controversies over the New Testament books. He notes well that the 27 books of the Bible was canonized on the basis of a "previously established authority" rather than a brand new one conferred by the Synod of Hippo in AD 397. The stories weave in all the circumstances that lead to the formation of the 27 books of the New Testament.

Section Three, "The Marriage" is a dramatic narrative on John's personal commentary on the book of Revelation. It tries to explain what Revelation is from the standpoint of the same Apostle who wrote it.  Beginning with the 1967 many emphases on Bible Prophecy, the second coming of Christ, and the interest in eschatology, Emery relooks at the book of Revelation and gives several interesting observations of the end times. Like Revelation, there is a lot of symbolism described, showing how Old Testament and New Testament prophecies come together toward a climactic end.

So What?

This is a big book and I am amazed at how the author is able to cover so much ground. It is not a book of history. It falls under the genre of historical fiction. Weaved into it is Emery's personal interpretations of the Bible and his theological understanding. Emery has put in a lot of effort to be faithful to what the Bible is saying. He uses many biblical references and information to back up his claim. At the same time, he exercises creativity and imagination to string together a series of conversations that lead up to a main message. Due to the lengthiness of the novel, it is hard for readers to quickly find out what the author is talking about. In other words, the book is not a quick read. It is an extensive conversation, more like a play that requires users to follow the thread closely so as not to lose the flow. If readers are unable to put in the time to read this book in its entirely, the benefits will be minimal. That said, I struggle to find anything "dramatic" about it. Even though each chapter is brief, what would have helped will be diagrams and sectionings within each chapter so that major points can be emphasized for readers who may be lost in the words and conversations, or for anyone who may have missed the flow somewhere.

Rating: 3.75 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of BenchPress Publishing and Speakeasy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"58 to 0" (Jon Zens)

TITLE: 58 to 0: How Christ Leads Through The One Anothers
AUTHOR: Jon Zens
PUBLISHER: Omaha, NE: Ekklesia Press, 2013, (202 pages).

Have we bought in lock-stock-and-barrel the prestige and accolades given to all things leadership? Are leadership conferences, seminars, and often expensive resources out there worth the investment? What about leadership in churches? Is the modern concept of leadership hierarchies biblical to begin with? The key point of this book is this:

"In the NT, the organic way for everything to develop is through the functioning of all the living stones together. The starting point of assembly-life is the priesthood of all believers as a living reality."

The title of the book comes from the authors' interpretation of the New Testament whereby Christ is the leader while everyone else are followers. Thus, there is no NT justification for decision-making or leadership stuff only to be left to the hierarchy of leaders that we have today. Instead, Jon Zens and Graham Woods argue that the responsibility lies with the "58 others" or the whole body of Christ.

"The Story Lives" (Henriet Schapelhouman)

TITLE: The Story Lives: Leading a Missional Revolution
AUTHOR: Henriet Schapelhouman
PUBLISHER: Denver CO: Tendril Press, 2012, (224 pages).

What does it mean to make God's story ours? How do we let God's story live in us. What if our lives become a living story for God? Is it impossible? Not if we learn to live missionally and incarnationally, says Schapelhouman, founder and President of Semper Vita Institute, a network of volunteers and partners who experience life through serving the communities around them.

If I were to summarize this book in my own words, I would say the following. Know God's story and know God. Know our story and know ourselves. Know God's mission and we know our mission. Indeed, after emphasizing that our stories reveal our identities, we are soon reminded that our story is part of a more exciting Big Story. This bigger story is larger than our small inner boxes of self, Church, and comfortable circle of friends. We are called to "Live out Loud," a play on the popular social media term "LOL." As we live, we are writing our stories. As we interact, we are letting people "read" our stories through responding, through acting, loving, speaking, and many more.







The chapter on "Stories Lived in Boxes" in my opinion is a giant wake up call for the Church to learn from what the Early Church had done, to be God's missionary people. Lamenting that the modern Church has given in to much pagan influences, she asks whether we are "being the Church" or simply "going to Church." Are our stories about people or programs? Are we boxing ourselves in and forgetting that God's mission is bigger than the four walls of our church communities? Do we know God enough to sense what God is up to?

Three things frames what it means to be living our stories for Christ through "Love in Action" which comprises of: Missional, Relational, and Incarnational. Being "missional" is about participating in God's work in such a way that we are active players in the work of redemption, reconciliation, repentance, and restoration. It requires a transformation of our own mindsets, approaches, and lifestyles. It is a lot more outward focused than inward. That leads to the need to be relational in our approaches. Through networks, neighbourhoods, and our links to the communities we live in, we learn to be missional people as we interact and help people in need. For Jesus is relational. The Early Christians are relational. We too need to be relational for the Gospel is relational. Tell our stories about Jesus in our lives. While being "missional" is about actions, being "relational" is about bringing the face and person of Christ through our own lives, that others see Jesus in us. Incarnational is becoming more like Christ living and loving people in this world. Being incarnational is about living God's love through us.

So What?

The word "missional" is a popular catch-phrase for many Christian leaders nowadays. So widely used it is that I find more abuses and misunderstanding of it. For instance, some people think of missional as a new vocabulary to replace the old word "mission." That is not true. For mission is understood as an objective, missional is about the whole process. It is about living within and without communities. Alan Roxburgh describes it as follows: “A missional church is a community of God’s people who live into the imagination that they are, by their very nature, God’s missionary people living as a demonstration of what God plans to do in and for all of creation in Jesus Christ.” It is about creating the cultures and contexts so that God's story can flow through unimpeded, uninterrupted, and unlimited. For Schapelhouman, it is simply the living out of God's story in us, so that we can help others live out God's story in them. It is about being unleashed for God ourselves, and that our energies and excitement can be used by the Holy Spirit to unleash others for God. Once we are unleashed for God, and when God's will is being fulfilled in our lives, we will not just be living our own stories, we will be living God's stories through us in the Name of Christ.

For sheer practical applications and energy within, I give this book a big thumbs up!

Rating: 5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of the publisher and the SpeakEasy Blog Review Network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Grace for the Contemplative Parent" (Lily Crowder)

TITLE: Grace for the Contemplative Parent : A Practical Guide for Mothers Practicing the Presence of God
AUTHOR: Lily Crowder
PUBLISHER: Portland, OR: Sons of Thunder Publications, 2013, (112 pages).

If there is any one group of people who can say is too busy to pray, mothers will rank among the top. Parenting is tough work. There are diapers to change and erratic sleeping and waking hours. There are cries and constant yearnings for milk. There is also a need to understand what each crying or murmuring means. Even getting babysitters for young kids can be very difficult. Who would want to deal with a crybaby? The chores are simply endless. Crowder, a mother herself as well as a co-founder of the Sons of Thunder ministries in Oregon has this one focus: To practice the presence of God in all that she does.

I have read Brother Lawrence's "Practicing the Presence of God" years ago and have been impressed by its simplicity, spirituality, and practicality. I have also come across Mike Mason's "Practicing the Presence of People," which tells us the deepest needs of a human being is to love well. What about applying both of them to a contemplative parent? That is, what if we apply the best of spirituality from Brother Lawrence's classic and merge that with the love of a parent for a child? The result is "Practicing the Presence" of God for parents. The key phrase and thesis of the book is from Brother Lawrence.

"The time of work does not with me differ from the time of prayer. In the noise and clatter of my kitchen, while several persons are at the same time calling for different things, I possess God in as great a tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the Blessed Supper."

With a constant awareness of God's presence, together with the chores and challenges of parenting children, Lily Crowder examines the spirituality of feeling God's grace in everything a parent does for her child. Eleven thoughts are put together to whet the appetite of parents wanting to be contemplative even as they care for their children. Being loved is also about learning not to feel too guilty when parents feel inadequate or failed in any of their duties. It means being content to trust that parenting itself is not less important than ministry work. Learning to see the parenting work as part of ministry is a liberating thought. Awareness of God is not just theory in the head but learning to see God everywhere we go. The key is being able to see with our spiritual eyes. With children, play is often a big component. That is why learning to exercise daily wonder helps parents to let themselves into the children's sense of wonder in play and nature. Practicing the presence of God includes giving thanks regularly even when children fight or becomes a nuisance. Crowder makes an interesting claim that optimism is "imperative in the Christian life." That may present a problem for those who find that feelings of optimism may not be possible at all times. Perhaps, it may be better to simply say "most" of the time. I like the part about maintaining a vision of building a house of wisdom. Only when we learn to think thoughts of God that we can build such a house. It means trust. It means learning to rest where appropriate and not be guilt-ridden about it. When one is whole, one gets a better sense of identity.

Although written with mothers in mind, this book can also be used for fathers. For there are a lot more common for both parents in the various contemplative practices. As one think thoughts of God constantly during parenting, one can consciously or subconsciously inculcate a sense of faith and trust for the little ones we care for. I remember the Sunday School song that says: "Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong. We are weak but He is strong!"

When we let God be strong in us, our children will grow and learn to be strong in the Lord. This is the promise of faith. Even parents need to be led and to be cared for. A well-led parent helps bringing up purposeful children. A well-cared for parent helps bring up loving children. This will be the best gift parents can give their children.

Rating: 4.5 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of the publisher and SpeakEasy Blog Review Network in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Occupy Spirituality" (Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox)

TITLE: Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation (Sacred Activism)
AUTHOR: Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox
PUBLISHER: Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2013, (288 pages).

This book is an invitation to "occupy your conscience." Finding solidarity in a radical display of standing up for what is right, protests, sit-ins, peaceful demonstrations, and standing up for justice and peace are the open expressions of "occupy spirituality." Based on the common values of food, justice, equality, and freedom, this book speaks about a new generation who are vociferous about these values, famously (or some say infamously) demonstrated in the Occupy movements. Spiritual Theologian Matthew Fox and youthful activist Adam Bucko have come together to issue a call for the new generation to take charge, assuming that the older, Baby Boomer generation has largely taken a back seat in common concerns.

The authors notice a fresh, young, and energized younger generation who are no longer content with sitting back and do nothing. This generation wants to make a difference in this world. It admires the spirit of youthfulness that is able to channel its energies toward worthy causes and charitable purposes. One of the problems with the Occupy movement so far is that it lacks a proper spiritual or moral motivation. Many younger people are ready to take action. They are willing to give up the comforts of the past and deal with the problems of the present. They are prepared to tough it out to create a brave and more promising new future. What they lack is spiritual guidance. This is where Fox and Bucko come in, where the book can be a place where the young and the rest dialogue sensibly and passionately. Spirituality is not about hiding in some obscure monastery or place of refuge. It is about open engagement with a loving heart. Such engagement includes:

• addressing the problem of rising unemployment;
• Why educated graduates with advanced degrees are living on food stamps?
• High price of Education;
• Inequitable pay and company profits

In order to make a difference, first, one has to "get mad." Second, one needs to be angry with the situation. Finally, one needs proper guidance on how to channel this madness, and anger toward something constructive. This book shows the way through marrying activism and spirituality. The former get things done. The latter provides the reasons, the motives, and the proper attitude in getting things done.

Radical spirituality is one that harnesses moral imagination. While Fox uses the opportunity to flesh out his favourite "Four Paths of Creation Spirituality," Bucko shares five pointers with regards to radical spirituality. Firstly, it is deeply "ecumenical, inter-spiritual, and post-traditional." The authors also argue that the "spiritual but not religious" movement is a reawakening rather than a decline in religious awareness. Secondly, it is "contemplative and experience based" though the authors also acknowledge that one can be addicted to experience. As long as the experienced has a conceptual backing, that would be more solid. Thirdly,  practice must proceed from contemplation. Fourthly, spirituality must breed action. Fifth, there is the action that arises out of a calling that brings out joy, celebration, and aliveness. Sixth, it is more than mere democracy, but authenticity and heart connections. They also have a word for the Church, that the Church who lives for itself will die. The Church must get back to the path of serving everyone outside apart from inside.

Bucko shares his story in chapter 3, where recognizing his own life song will help him play the melodies of living. Born in Poland in 1975, he remembers a happy childhood amid a violent public environment. Initially, he found solace in religion. Soon, he moves to a radical fight against totalitarianism. By the age of 14, he was already a part of the "anarchist youth movement." After coming to the United States, he started small through busking. In interacting with homeless people in the cities, he begins his search for meaning and spirituality. His discovery of his own vocation began when he lived with a community to work with suffering people. One touching story was how when trying to help a prostitute get out of prostitution, he learns that existing systems are not sympathetic to her plight. He summarizes his story through a poem: "My God Lives On The Street."

Fox acknowledges that his own vocation is an evolution over time. Formerly a Dominican priest, he lets his own spiritual learning takes priority even when it meant being kicked out of the Roman Catholic Church. One of his spiritual mentors was the late Thomas Merton who helped him find his own vocation, and eventually come up with the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality. His own spiritual paths include fighting dualism, patriarchy, homophobia, denominationalism, fascism, and even the Church's doctrine on "original sin." Instead, Fox proposes "original blessing" as the way to go. He ends with "Twelve Principles of Creation Spirituality."

The rest of the book continues dialogues about discovering one's calling, putting spiritual and practice together, seeking common ground among different generations, and building up a new community that is anchored on ecumenism and inter-spiritual identities. It concludes with an affirmation of "spiritual democracy" and that "any one religion is just as good as another."

So What?

The last quote in the previous paragraph straightaway raises alarm bells. Anyone who says that are not really respecting the uniqueness of each religion. They are at best trying to be nice, and at worse, ignorant of the fundamental tenets of faith of each religion. The point is, religions have their own sacred creeds and doctrines that cannot be denied. Each of them have their own versions of truths, and to equalize them with others will be doing injustice to all. In fact, "spiritual democracy" may very well be a new religion trying to "lord over" all other religions. Fox can only speak for Creation Spiritualists. He cannot claim to speak for other branches of Christianity. Likewise, Bucko speaks mainly from his own contexts and backgrounds, and cannot speak for the rest of the world. That said, they are doing some things right, especially with the call to put faith and practice together, and to work together with people of different faiths and spiritualities.

That said, there are some things that merit consideration. I may disagree with the theologies the author bring forth. However, I recognize that many of the interviews and the interactions with the younger people reported in the book are real and reflect the mood of the new generation. This is the single biggest reason to maintain a listening ear and a readiness to support the cause regardless of different religious persuasions. Stay in touch with their emotions and passions. Do not belittle their energies. Empathize with them. For example, some naysayers complain about the Occupy Movements as a waste of time and resources. A truck driver angrily shouts aloud" "Why don't you all get a job!" will get a reply, "Yes we would, but there are no jobs!" Indeed, that is the reality of our modern world. We may not agree with the protests but we must agree that there are many pressing issues that all of us need to work together to find a solution. Young people are feeling abandoned and ladened with huge debts. With no jobs or societal backing, many are left to fend for themselves. For Fox, courage and generosity are the two key traits necessary for this new generation, and to wake up other sleepy generations. The courage to tackle greedy titans of society, and the generosity to help the marginalized and the helpless.

I think the intent of the authors is good. They marry a lot of diverse opinions and choose not to be critical about any one religious view. There are a lot of commendable actions that arise out of the broken systems of the world. That said, I find the spirituality they propose grossly inadequate. The problem with spiritual democracy and uncritical embrace of ecumenism is that it is a very shaky foundation for building any "Occupy Spirituality." At best, it will be tolerance. At worse, it will be biding time before the next controversy. Actions can only do so much. Experiences can only be valid for a season. After a while, the spirituality will break down due to vague identities of what they truly stand for. Unless of course, Fox and Bucko can convert more people to a new religion called "Occupy Spirituality."

Rating: 3.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me courtesy of North Atlantic Books and SpeakEasy Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Answering the Contemplative Call" (Carl McColman)

TITLE: Answering the Contemplative Call: First Steps on the Mystical Path
AUTHOR: Carl McColman
PUBLISHER: Charlottesville,VA: Hampton Roads Publishing, 2013, (192 pages).

Before one can respond to any call, one must listen and recognize the call. Once the call is heard, one needs to decide what to do about it. Once the preparation is done, one needs to put it into action. This three fold process is deliberated in this book about "mystical faith." McColman summarizes spirituality as follows: "So, if life is a journey, then spirituality is an essential part of that passage." What makes the contemplative so mystical is that the goal of such a journey is to "have no goal," and the purpose of finding God is not on the outside, but finding God inside. Simply put, mystical spirituality is that deep longing for God, so much so that the material becomes immaterial. It is a call for deeper intimacy.

The first thing to note is to recognize that God loves us. The second thing is to respond to God's love by preparing for deeper communion with God. The third thing is walking this path of love. All three things are described in this book.  There are calls to pray and to seek God more deeply. There are communities that one can seek out to walk the journey together. There are opportunities to practice the journey both alone and with people. The main thing to note is that mystical spirituality is not something that necessarily locks us into any kind of a mould. It liberates us to choose to be caged in willingly, or to wander off freely. It encourages us to walk at a pace that is in tune with God and with our own creative makeup. It gives a peace that the world cannot give.

Let me offer five thoughts with regards to this book. Firstly, I like the aspect of invitation to the journey. For instance, love is not something that is forced upon, but freedom given and received in grace as gifts. Only when we are free to enter in and out, can we begin the journey of love. When we think about the "call," it is always about an invitation rather than an imperative. It is an invitation to wonder and to enjoy the entire experience. We need to see it as solving some kind of a problem, but to appreciate with thanks the privilege of embarking on a journey. Freely offered, freely accepted. It is that invitation to love God and to be loved by God.

Secondly, there is a certain mystery in this kind of journey. In our modern world of science and technology, sometimes we have become too clever for our own good. We concoct our dreams of happiness. We strategize our way to success. We calculate what makes sense with regards to personal fulfillment. If we let these things define our spirituality, we will be in trouble, just like us trying to explain the ups and downs of relationships. Psychologists or therapists will know that their prescriptions and theories can only go so far. The rest comprises of discernment and wisdom. Mystical is often an openness to the divine and for the self to learn new revelations from God. It is a journey that begins with Christ, continues with the Spirit, and ends in God the Father.

Thirdly, I appreciate McColman bringing into the book the wisdom and teachings from the classic spiritual mystics. People like Bernard of Clairvaux, Julian of Norwich, Meister Eckhart, Walter Hilton, Teresa of Avila, Evelyn Underhill, and many others have lots to teach us.  One of the common teachings is that it is God who notices us first, and not the other way round. It begins with God.

Fourthly, just like the mystics of old, McColman uses lots of metaphors and images to help readers understand the themes more. Like the image of mirrors in our lives, reflecting the need for inner purity so that we can reflect goodness to the outside. Being awake from our sleepy world is another useful metaphor. Far too often, we practice spirituality with heavy eyelids, and fail to even begin well. Spiritual awakening must happen first before the start of any spiritual journey. The spiritual life needs to be nuanced beyond our scientific mindset.

Fifthly, the use of stories gives life to the message. In fact, when explaining the mystical paths, there is no better way than stories to string together teachings and ideas. It highlights the relational aspect much better than any scientific steps or practical processes. The spiritual life is essentially about spiritual relationships. Unlike some other types of spirituality, Christian spirituality is an attempt to connect to the Person of Christ,  and not about a spiritual system or a kind of metaphysical state of being.

Highly readable, immensely practical, and richly inviting, this book is a great start for anyone desiring to learn more about contemplative spirituality.



Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book is provided to me free by the publisher without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.