"Insurgence" (Frank Viola)

TITLE: Insurgence: Reclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom
AUTHOR: Frank Viola
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2018, (448 pages).

The gospel of the kingdom is inherently radical. The early Church is radical in their love and faith. Unfortunately, the modern church have largely lost the necessary conviction and passion of old. What is needed is a renewal of conviction and a revelation of the Kingdom of God. How do we do that? Create an insurgence to reclaim the  gospel of the Kingdom of God. For the grand narrative of the whole Bible is about declaring the Kingdom of God having come and will be coming soon.  In order to do that, we need to clear the decks. We have to distinguish between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom. We need to proclaim the Kingdom of God over all else. We need a vision of the beauty of the Kingdom so that we can proclaim with passion our freedom in Christ and glory of God. Author Frank Viola writes in six parts to do just that. The six parts are titled as follows:

1. Three Different Gospels
2. Unveiling the King's Beauty
3. The Gospel of the Kingdom
4. Entering and Enjoying the Kingdom
5. Our Glorious Liberty
6. Advancing the Kingdom

"Always On" (Angela Williams Gorrell)

TITLE: Always On: Practicing Faith in a New Media Landscape (Theology for the Life of the World)
AUTHOR: Angela Williams Gorrell
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019, (208 pages).

The new media is defining us in more ways than one. This is not just social media. It is a new age of media technology and people interactions that revolutionizes the way we work, play, and live. Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have changed the way we communicate with one another. People express themselves using online platforms such as YouTube and Instagram. Consumers buy and sell on sites such as eBay and Amazon while many play online Internet games with people they have never met face to face. This is the face of the new media. Like any phenomenon or change of social landscape, there are plus and minus aspects. It has the potential to communicate and to bring about a lot of good in brand new ways. Unfortunately, the downsides are also huge. In order to ensure we have a healthy kind of hybrid, that is, to maximize the positive and minimize the negative, it would be a great way forward. This could be done through "interested conversations" that enables meaningful dialogue that are both "theologically reflective" as well as "Spirit-guided." Author Angela Gorrell brings us through a fascinating journey through the new media terrain. It is an ambitious attempt to connect ancient faith with modern media. Like our modern multimedia folks, the early church communicate with one another through many senses such as "written, oral" and "reading and singing." The common theme is communicating. The difference is the specific ways we communicate the written, the spoken, and the various dialogue avenues. While that might be true, it is also true that social media has been mixed with fake news and "empty and shallow" talk. This is a legitimate concern but the potential for Christians to influence worldviews is too big to be ignored.

"Bible Workbook Vol 2 New Testament" (Catherine B. Walker)

TITLE: Bible Workbook, Volume 2 -- New Testament
AUTHOR: Catherine B. Walker
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2019, (72 pages).

For those who have used the first volume on the Old Testament, this workbook brings a familiar look and feel. Like the predecessor, this workbook was written for high school Bible classes that meet every day for a semester. Thus, the workbook can be used as a common text to help students work through the New Testament and learn its major themes. Readers ought to pay attention to the first page "Note to the Teacher" so as to know how to optimize the use of this workbook. Walker gives us a good idea on what parts of the New Testament to begin with and when to go more in depth. The purpose is to urge students to read the Bible more regularly and frequently. Highlights include:

• Author;
• People;
• Occasion;
• Theme;
• Outline;
• Key Verse(s);
• Things for you to do;
• Reasons for Studying the Bible book;
• Things to Watch For.

"Our Daily Bread Bible Sourcebook" (Dave Branon)

TITLE: Our Daily Bread Bible Sourcebook: The Who, What, Where, Wow Guide to the Bible
AUTHOR: Dave Branon
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Discovery House Publishers, 2019, (280 pages).

Ever wanted a quick interesting snapshot not just of the whole Bible? What about having a concise introduction to every book in the Bible? That would be great isn't it? Many people know of interesting stories like the sacrifice of Isaac at Mount Moriah, the great exodus, the mighty king David, the wisdom of King Solomon, the parables of Jesus, and many more. Do we know exactly where they come from? Who were the authors? Why were the books written? When and where were they written? These questions are dealt with in this one volume called the "Bible source book." The word "source" should clue us in on what the book is trying to achieve. It is to help us go back to the origins of the Bible and to help us appreciate the ancient contexts better. By doing so, we will be more equipped with background information as we open up each book of the Bible for study or for discussion. For each Bible book, the author gives:

• A short title to summarize the theme;
• A Top Ten list of interesting facts;
• WHO wrote the book;
• WHAT the book is about;
• WHEN the events took place;
• WHY the book was written;
• WOW to show us the impact of the book in culture and society both in the past and after;
• Worth Remembering is about popular verses that inspire;
• Wonders from the past show us the archaeological discoveries.

"Were You There" (Luke A. Powery)

TITLE: Were You There?
AUTHOR: Luke A. Powery
PUBLISHER: Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2019, (144 pages).

The Christian season of Lent is approaching. On Ash Wednesday, the Christian world would be entering into a period of prayer, meditation, and reflections on the 40-days journey of Jesus right up to Holy Week. It is a significant time for believers to ponder about the way of Jesus who obeyed God the Father all the way to the Cross. God in His pleasure and power raised Him up on the third day and gave us hope that in the same way, all believers will also be resurrected together with Christ. Lent is a time of remembering the pain, the sorrow, and the suffering Christ. Author Luke Powery defines Lent as "a season of penitential reflection and repentance on the path toward the hope of Easter." It's a nice way to introduce the theme of this book, which is essentially to understand the nature and underlying contexts of many negro spirituals.

Right from Ash Wednesday, the first spiritual "Didn't my Lord deliver Daniel?" gives us a clear path of where the author is going. In a powerful reflection about the need for deliverance, Powery deals honesty with the issues of pain and suffering. He points out the hope that one day, we will all be delivered. The spiritual "Many Thousand Gone" gives us a troubling insight into actual slavery situations. The spiritual "Oh, Mary, Don't You Weep, Don't You Mourn" is a way for negro slaves to connect their plight with the story of Christ's suffering. "Kum Ba yah" is a hymn of personal need and plea for God to come. However, not all spirituals are sad and somber. The song "Do Lord, do Lord, Lord, remember me" is an upbeat prayer of asking God to remember us. This is especially poignant in a world full of short memories. Other songs include "Michael Row the Boat Ashore," "My Father, How Long," "Steal Away," "We Shall Overcome," and many others. Of course, the one that bears the same name as this book title is also included. Of particular interest are the songs selected for Holy Week. Powery carefully matches the day with a particular theme that expresses the mood and meaning of the road to Calvary. Maundy Thursday is a short meditation on Calvary. Good Friday challenges us to see Jesus at the Cross. After so many weeks asking God to help us, we are left pondering if we would do the same for Jesus. Silent Saturday looks at the atmosphere of silence surrounding the death of Christ. Just like the way the book of Malachi ends, followed by 400 years of silence, Saturday compresses the world's hopes into silent prayer and anticipation. We all know what happens on the third day, but that would need another book.

"Bible Workbook Vol 1 Old Testament" (Catherine B. Walker)

TITLE: Bible Workbook Vol. 1 Old Testament
AUTHOR: Catherine B. Walker
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2019, (72 pages).

It is no secret that the Old Testament is not that easy to understand. The texts are ancient. The contexts are drastically different than our world. The cultures are too hard to comprehend. Enter this classic workbook for anyone who wants to walk through the Old Testament. Written originally for High School Bible classes, this work has been revised several times. Due to its popularity, it has been republished once again for a new generation.

There are notes to the teacher to help instructors optimize the use of the book. Using a chronological approach, the purpose of the book is a broad overview of the general themes of the Old Testament. Walker begins with twelve convictions about the Bible. This helps us appreciate that even though the workbook summarizes the broad themes of the Bible, we must always be aware that there are much more than what this workbook can cover. These include:

• What the Bible says about itself;
• General outline of Hebrew History;
• Types of Literature;
• Manuscripts description;
• Famous Bible translations;
• Dates, Authorship, etc.

The book can also be used for adult Bible Classes using the four units of twelve lessons each. The lesson numbers are difficult to read but the flow is chronological. Perhaps, instead of studying the book in separate forms, readers will flow along from one section to another without the need for subdivisions. The blank lines would prompt readers and students to refer frequently to the Bible for answers.  There are Bible verses to memorize; questions to trigger our memories of what we know; memory keys; acronyms; interesting facts; even games about the Bible to maintain any student's level of interest. All in all, it is a fascinating overview of the Old Testament to help us get a better grasp of the big story of the Bible.

My Thoughts
It takes a little while to get used to the format of the book. I was initially expecting clearly marked Old Testament Bible books as chapter headings or genre headings as a guide for study. However, Walker uses her own demarcations; namely the sections: 1) Introduction; 2) Exodus; 3) United & Divided Kingdom; and 4) The Divided Kingdom. It does not cover all the 39 books of the Old Testament. The teacher should be bold to try different ways to use this book. One need not follow exactly the schema proposed. Use this book in conjunction with the Bible as the guide. Some of the parts would require updating, such as the section on translations. Since the year 2000, there has been many more translations. For a brief book, I still think this book has a lot of potential.

In summary, I enjoyed reading through and being challenged by the questions posed by the author. The way to truly learn is to work through the various questions and use the Bible frequently. If there is one key strength in this book, it is exactly the latter.

Catherine B Walker has taught at the Indonesian Baptist Theological Seminary for 26 years. She has authored several workbooks and theological textbooks in the Indonesian language.

Rating: 4 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Moody Publishers and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Learning Theology Through the Church's Worship" (Dennis Okholm)

TITLE: Learning Theology through the Church’s Worship
AUTHOR: Dennis Okholm
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018, (256 pages).

It has often been pointed out that systematic theology textbooks are a little dry. That is probably due to the way academics write their books. It is also because of the nature of systematic theology that made the teaching of it rather challenging. Thus, it is a balancing act of teaching this form of theology in an interesting and practical way, to be sensitive to our current contexts without diluting the contents. What if we could begin not with the theology itself but with the visible expressions of systematic theology? Answer: Liturgy and worship. Professor J.I. Packer has often said that "Theology leads to Doxology." Essentially, that means all theology will naturally lead us to the worship of God. Author Dennis Okholm pounces on this opportunity to use liturgy as a window to learning systematic theology. After all, if we want to show fellow believers and church-goers the relevance of systematic theology to everyday life, there is no better way than to use the familiar symbols of a regular Church worship service as a springboard to such a great educational opportunity of the church.

"The Magnificent Journey" (James Bryan Smith)

TITLE: The Magnificent Journey: Living Deep in the Kingdom (Apprentice Resources)
AUTHOR: James Bryan Smith
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2018, (176 pages).

Many classics have described the Christian life using the metaphor of a journey of faith. John Bunyan writes "Pilgrim's Progress" to show us the Christian experience from condemnation to redemption; and from redemption to unification with God. Richard Foster also uses the journey motif for his book, "Celebration of Discipline" on spiritual formation. St Teresa of Avila's "Interior Castle" also describes the life of prayer using the journey from where we are toward union with God. There are many others from famous authors such as Henri Nouwen, Thomas Merton, and St John of the Cross, the latter writing "The Dark Night of the Soul." This book begins with the author describing his struggle about being stuck at a particular phase of his spiritual life. He desires to seek more of God, to receive greater spiritual insights, and to deepen his knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. So he goes off to an Episcopalian monastery in the Northeast to do just that. After a period of frustration, his mentor asks him a few basic questions to help him to be relaxed before God, and to learn to receive instead of digging for spiritual gems. After all, the deep things of God are patiently received. We cannot control God. We need to let go and let God speak to us, and not allow our agendas to define how we learn spirituality. The author soon realizes that the way forward is to be like Mary who had said: "Let it be with me." This posture marks the start of a great journey called "The Magnificent Journey." This is the road less traveled. It begins by the way of surrender. It is the spiritual art of letting the Word of God speak to us instead of us mining it for spiritual information. It is experiencing the presence of Jesus through the gospels. It is about intentionally setting our minds on things above by focusing on the person of Jesus Christ. It is about listening to God and discover the art of spiritual discernment and prayer. Smith shows us the importance of cultivating the conditions of seeing God instead of using our own efforts to reach God. This requires intentional prayer and contemplation.

"How the Body of Christ Talks" (C. Christopher Smith)

TITLE: How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church
AUTHOR: C. Christopher Smith
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2019, (224 pages).

We are made for conversations. Even our body cells reflect our inclination toward community and communal living. Unfortunately, individualism and privatism have taken over much of society. People are increasingly isolated. Even church people are no longer able to converse as well as they ought to. Calling our bodies as conversations "among proteins," author Christopher Smith aims to bring back the lost art of conversations in the Church, beginning with ourselves. For the healthiest people are those in active conversations with one another. The strongest communities are those that frequently communicate and talk to one another. In this book, Smith has a passion to help churches cultivate this art of talking and to build relationships through conversations. He even calls it a "transformative power of conversation." Smith invites us along in the three phases as follows:

1) Setting Out the Journey
2) Spirituality for the Journey
3) Sustaining the Journey

"Stages of the Soul" (Nancy J. Kane)

TITLE: Stages of the Soul: God's Invitation to Greater Love
AUTHOR: Nancy J. Kane
PUBLISHER: Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2019, (176 pages).

In our age of anger, arguments, disputes, violence, and war, the word 'love' appears to be some form of wishful thinking. We speak of love but instances of love are generally few and far between. While we are creatures made in the image of God, we are also sinners who constantly defy the work of the Spirit. Love in its essence does not appear out of nowhere. We don't simply invent love. It must first be received. That is why Christian Theology teaches us that love begins with God. Without God, we can do nothing. Just like God who created heaven, earth, and us, we need God to initiate love. This He had done and is continuing to do so daily. We cannot help ourselves. We need God. In a nutshell, if we want to grow in spiritual formation, we need to accept God's invitation to His Divine Love. If you desire a deeper and growing relationship with God, this is an excellent book to read, to reflect, and to ponder upon how to put love into action. The five stages of the soul are:

Stage One - Our First Love
Stage Two - Obedient Love
Stage Three - Persevering Love
Stage Four - Sacrificial Love
Stage Five - Intimate Love

"The Politics of Ministry" (Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman & Donald C. Guthrie)

TITLE: The Politics of Ministry: Navigating Power Dynamics and Negotiating Interests
AUTHOR: Bob Burns, Tasha D. Chapman & Donald C. Guthrie
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2018, (216 pages).

The word 'politics' has often been used pejoratively. From world leaders to local associations, people see politicians or the way of politics as a necessary evil. We may hate it but we cannot do without it. Even in non-profit organizations, there has been accusations of politics played by those jostling for power and position in the organization. Like a chess game, some individuals scheme their way into plum roles. Others play defensive to protect their place in the hierarchy. Churches are no exception. In some cases, the level of politicizing might even be most discouraging. This book helps us understand, navigate, and negotiate our way in ministry. The authors start off by saying that "politics is the art of getting things done with others." Thus, politics is not exactly a dirty word but a necessarily power dynamic to bring about positive change and progress for the organization. As politics is primarily about people, the authors anticipate four kinds of audiences:

1. The Employee or Volunteer;
2. The Hurt;
3. Leaders;
4. General Reader.

"Becoming a Welcoming Church" (Thom S. Rainer)

TITLE: Becoming a Welcoming Church
AUTHOR: Thom S. Rainer
PUBLISHER: Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing House, 2018, (128 pages).

"Are you willing to set aside your preconceived notions about your church? Are you willing to look at your church more honestly and more clearly? Are you willing to do what it takes to be a welcoming, gospel-centered church?" These attention-grabbing questions would make the most stubborn church leader to squeak out a yes. After all, who wouldn't want to be more honest, more caring, and more welcoming to strangers?
For Thom Rainer, this is his 27th book in his career as a publicist, author, and believer in the strengthening of the Church at large. This book is spurred by his desire to help churches wake up to one of the most important tasks at hand: To welcome the stranger just like Jesus had done. He wants us to take a hard look at ourselves to do better than before. Hospitality is a key attribute of a welcoming church.

In "Becoming a Welcoming Church," Rainer helps us take a hard look at ourselves, beginning with a humble confession that most of our welcoming strategies are not working as intended. Some of the observations in the book ought to make any Church leader sit up and reflect on their own congregations. Wake-up calls such as:

"Christian Higher Education" (editors: David S. Dockery & Christopher W. Morgan)

TITLE: Christian Higher Education: Faith, Teaching, and Learning in the Evangelical Tradition
AUTHOR: David S. Dockery & Christopher W. Morgan (editors)
PUBLISHER: Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2018, (576 pages).

A University education is becoming a given in many developed countries nowadays. In Asia, many parents push their children to excel in their academics in order to enter a reputed University. In the West, many are getting not just one but multiple degrees. One of the most sought after institutions are the Ivy Leagues, a group of eight elite private colleges located in the North Eastern region of the United States. Many, if not all of these schools were started by the early Puritans and evangelical founders. Their original mission statements were closely tied to the Christian faith. With the rise of secularism, these statements have been relegated to the history books as these schools replace them with statements and phrases that reflect the secular world. In doing so, they have lost a huge chunk of precious history and teaching philosophies envisioned by the founders. This shift from faith-based philosophy to secularist and atheistic forms of teaching is also threatening traditionally explicit Christian universities. The problem is the lack of appreciation or awareness of the importance of the evangelical influence on education in general. If we truly want to get to the root of a university education, we need to understand the background and the uniqueness of Christian Higher Education. This book offers such a guide to enable Christian educators, Church leaders, scholars, theologians, and anyone interested in the future of Christian Higher Education.

"365 Ways to Find Peace" (edited by Marcus Braybrooke)

TITLE: 365 Ways to Find Peace: Meditations & Inspirations
AUTHOR: Edited by Marcus Braybrooke
PUBLISHER: London, UK: Watkins, 2019, (208 pages).

Beauty contestants spout it. World leaders talk about it. Social activists display placards for it. Writers pen their hopes for it. World peace. This book opens with a promise to help readers find peace or some semblance of peace in this often troubled and tumultuous world. Its basic premise is that we all need reminders that "deep stillness and tranquility" is possible. So the author combs widely for snippets and ways to find such peace. With this search for tranquility the main purpose, editor Marcus Braybrooke draws inspiration from multiple religions, philosophers, sacred books, poems, parables, songs, hymns, selections from cultures that range from East and West. All in all, there are 365 writings. Some are as short as a single line while others are as long as a full page.

The 365 selections are subdivided into three categories:

1. The Centre of Being;
2. The Inner Circle of Love;
3. The Outer Circle of Spirit.

Part One is based on the premise that self-love is a vital foundation for relationships. Admitting that it may seem to be self-centered at first, Braybrooke asserts that it brings about a stability that is needed for the building of love outward. The selections are based on elements of true self; self-esteem; inner strength; stillness; inner wisdom; giving; thankfulness; attentiveness; humility; simplicity; wonder; etc. These are the virtues for cultivating a being that is secure and tranquil. Part Two moves on to the Inner Circle of Love, which covers topics of empathy; selflessness; compassion; friendship; family; etc. There is a bigger element of community and loving others. Part Three  is about "Outer Circle of Spirit" which moves beyond the physical realm toward the transcendental.

My Thoughts
For an eclectic collection of works from such a diverse group of people and perspectives, it is hoped that some of these would touch the general reader searching for meaning and peace in their lives. Some readers might try to go through the book thinking that they would find peace. Not all the works could do that. Maybe a few snippets of inspiration might help settle our restless minds. Also, it depends on the readers' personal faith and background. It could be uncomfortable for those who hold a different religious perspective from some of the contributors in this book. For that, I would urge readers not to give up on the book entirely. There are good things to learn from, even though some may not meet our expectations. If something works, then its good. If not, simply move on and not feel too troubled about it.

What is helpful for me is to recognize the diversity of views with regard to the words peace and tranquility. I am aware of the many different definitions of what true peace is. For starters, just see this work as an effort to bridge the gaps between different perspectives, religious thought, and desire for world peace. There is no one size fits all and this book definitely didn't purport to play that role. The hope is that in the reading of these book, if one could find a way toward the peace that one seeks, it would have been a worthy read.

Rating: 3.5 stars of 5.

conrade

---

This book has been provided courtesy of Watkins Publishing and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

"Restless Faith" (Richard J. Mouw)

TITLE: Restless Faith: Holding Evangelical Beliefs in a World of Contested Labels
AUTHOR: Richard J Mouw
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2018, (192 pages).

People generally don't like to be labeled but the practice of labeling continues to be practiced in society. Scholars especially would often qualify their definitions of any particular label. On the word "Christian," one might ask what kind of Christian. On the label "Protestant," one might wonder which branch or denomination one is talking about. On the label "evangelical," some might shrug their shoulders or avoid talking about it due to its association with politics on America. Things are no longer taken at face value or treated simplistically. Maybe society has become more sophisticated. Maybe there are more awareness of the increasing diversity of views and opinions. For author and theologian Richard Mouw, the fear of labels should not be allowed to prevent us from using them legitimately. The word in question is "evangelical." Just because of a few bad eggs should not deter us from appropriate use of it. It is true that some from the political right have been giving the label a bad name, the same applies to many other labels open to stereotyping. He uses Alister McGrath's words as support, that "we evangelicals do often operate with an 'under-developed ecclesiology' - but we are willing to live with that defect because of what we have experienced at the hands of 'others who have over-developed ecclesiologies.'" That's a valid point. He also notes the famous historian, David Bebbington's definition of evangelical by saying that his four points were 'emphases' instead of absolute dogmas. A restless faith seeks to hold together two things: Top-notch scholarship (mindfulness) and down-to-earth connections (relational). It is honouring the Bible; walking in the presence of the Holy Spirit; and an awareness of the saints who had walked faithfully in the past.

"Ask Dr Tony-Answers Asperger's & Autism" (Craig R. Evans with Dr Tony Attwood)

TITLE: Ask Dr. Tony: Answers from the World's Leading Authority on Asperger's Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism
AUTHOR: Craig R. Evans with Dr Tony Attwood
PUBLISHER: Arlington, TX, Future Horizons, 2018, (200 pages).

It began with the website called "Autism Hangout" in 2006. The purpose was to provide immediate information on autism containing expert advice from practitioners, medical professionals, researchers, social workers, teachers, and experienced thought leaders. This idea progressed on to books and videos. One of the most popular segments was the interviews with Dr Tony Attwood, who was based in Brisbane, Australia. With close to 300 interviews, this initiative was very well received. Since then, the Dr Tony show has grown in popularity. This book is a transcript of the 2010 program called "Ask Dr Tony." Craig Evans is the interviewer with Dr Tony Attwood the expert authority on autism matters.

The book revolves around 17 top issues, ranked according to Evans's proprietary research in 2012-13. These issues are:

"The Significance of Singleness" (Christina S. Hitchcock)

TITLE: The Significance of Singleness: A Theological Vision for the Future of the Church
AUTHOR: Christina S. Hitchcock
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2018, (176 pages).

Singleness is a topic that is taboo among some young people. This is especially so for people living in cultures that elevate marriage above singlehood; setting up families; fear of loneliness; and producing babies for the next generation. In such societies, the default thinking is that if one is unmarried, then something seems amiss. In such an environment, there is pressure and desperation the older one stays single. Even churches are not immune. In fact, some churches frown on singles or tend to create programs catered more to families and married people. The truth is, singles are significant too. The author realizes this even as she was applying for Bible school, knowing that chances of getting married in such places are slim. It was a struggle for her to want to achieve her potential on the one hand but fully aware of her single status. She grapples honestly with her personal emotions while trying to make sense of cultural norms and biblical teachings. This book is a result of that exercise. Instead of letting culture define happiness in terms of marriage and family, she affirms the significance of singleness through the lens of the kingdom of God. Singles can play their part in community building, in gospel sharing, in becoming God's agents in the kingdom of God. She invites the whole Church at large to work together toward a theological vision and acceptance of singlehood for the gospel ministry.

"Having Nothing, Possessing Everything" (Michael Mather)

TITLE: Having Nothing, Possessing Everything: Finding Abundant Communities in Unexpected Places
AUTHOR: Michael Mather
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans, 2018, (160 pages).

How can we help the poor and the needy? How can we be of help to the less fortunate? How do we go about making a difference? These are some of the questions many of us ask, especially during the festive season and times of giving. While the intentions are good, the mentality behind the questions are not as good, especially when we fail to understand the contexts of the poor. What makes us think that we are their heroes? How can we have the audacity to think that we can help them according to our own terms? This is something that pastor and author Michael Mather had before he had a change of mind and heart. A major paradigm shift is to learn to see people as peers rather than people inferior to us and needful of our gifts. Having worked in two lower income parishes for 31 years, Mather learns that the best way to help is to encourage people to do what they could do for themselves. In 1986, he ventured into the ministry to the poor at the inner city streets. Using a "white mainstream Protestantism" approach to ministry to the poor, he would be serving in the soup kitchen, providing a food bank, organizing summer programs for kids, and other giveaway initiatives. Such projects may seem charitable at first but on hindsight, it does not empower people as much. In fact, it could be disempowering. What rocked the author was the violent deaths of 9 youths in the neighbourhood. With each death comes the singing of "Amazing Grace" during funerals. He soon discovers that the way to help the poor was to "shine a spotlight on the glories of the people" in the neighbourhood. In other words, give the people the dignity that rightfully belongs to them. Don't be condescending or presume we are the savior of their predicaments. Don't do things for people when they could very well do things for themselves. Spurred by the idea of an "Asset Based Community Development" (ABCD) which seeks to empower people to use their gifts, Mather writes this book about his personal journey from giving people food to eat toward helping them help themselves. The key reason why needy people remain needy is because of projects that create dependency. So he listened. He facilitated participation. He started paying attention to the uniqueness each individual brings with them. The very people who could help the poor are the poor themselves! Thus the mantra: Focus on what the people have instead of what they lacked. Thus, the title of the book summarizes the essence of this message. People outside think that they needy had nothing and needed everything. The truth is, they possessed everything in spite of public perception of their poverty.