Contemporary Theologies

In this book, Ed Miller and Stanley Grenz provide an introduction to the work of the leading figures who have shaped theology in the world since about the time of World War II.  Each chapter is devoted to a different figure and the writing is conversational and informative.  The book begins with Karl Barth, the towering figure of the twentieth century  known far beyond theological circles for his role in writing the Barmen Declaration  protesting the acts of the National Socialists in Germany in the years leading up to WWII.  Chapters on figures such as the Niebuhr brothers (one of whom served as pastor in a church in Detroit) and Rudolf Bultmann follow as Miller and Grenz lead us through to  current-day theological movements, such as liberation theology (Gustavo Gutierez), feminist theology (Rosemary Radford Ruether), global theology (John Hicks) and postliberal ("narrative") theology (George Lindberg).  Table Talk, the theology discussion group of The University Church is using this book as a guide for our conversations during Fall 2007.  Come and join us!



God's Politics

Jim Wallis, the editor of Sojouner Magazine, aims to lay out a new vision for faith and politics in America.  The cover of his book  states, "When the right gets it wrong and the left doesn't get it"!  He calls for a movement by religious communities to claim a consistent ethic of life tht is pro-justice, pro-peace, pro-environment, pro-equality and pro-family (without, as Wallis puts it, "making scapegoats of single mothers or gays and lesbians").  Wallis challnges both the political right and left to rethink how faith and politics interact.  He  advocates not simply protest but rather active participation in proposing solutions.  Not everyone will be comforatble with this book but it has important things to say as the US enters another time of primaries and elections. - Review by Julian.

Simply Christian

When a book is compared to the classic "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis then it must be worth a look. Reviewers have lauded N.T. Wright's discussion of Christianity and his unique approach to discussing the topic.  Wright begins by asking why it is that people sense injustice when they hear of hungry children in the world. He wonders why it is that people everywhere sense beauty when they see a red rose.  He asks why we have these feelings and experiences that transcend who we are as individuals.  And from these questions there springs a book on Christianity!  The University Church read this book and discussed it in our "Table Talk" theology discussion group during the summer of 2007.  - Review by Julian.

Reading the Bible Again for the First Time

Marcus J. Borg looks at both Old and New Testament texts with a "scientific" eye as he tries to make the Biblical narrative accessible to the modern-day, western reader.  Some might take the position that Borg goes too far in deconstructing the text, perhaps paying more attention to the world in front of the text than to the world behind it but, nonetheless, Borg's worldview is one shared by many in the US today and so his book is well worth reading.  In fact, Table Talk, the theology discussion group of The University Church has read and discussed this very book over the summer of 2007.  - Review by Julian






History of the World Christian Movement: Earliest Christianity to 1453

How in the world did we get to where we are today? I’m talking of Christians, of course. And what were the major factors that influenced some of the most important decisions in Christian history? History of the World Christian Movement: Earliest Christianity to 1453 (History of the World Christian Movement), by Dale T. Irvin and Scott W. Sunquist will answer those questions and more; at least up until the year 1453. Irwin and Sunquist provide a fascinating journey from the Silk Road to the Ottoman Empire and provide a glimpse into Christian history that will shock and amaze you.  This book is difficult to put down; from the life of the early church, to the monastic life styles, and on through the age of the Golden Horde - each is covered in great detail and with excellent historical documentation. Enjoy the reading! -  Review by Cliff




A Generous Orthodoxy

Brian McLaren, a leader in the "emerging church" movement, formulates a post-liberal, post-conservative vision of a generous orthodoxy for Christians. Rather than arguing for a set of rules to define orthodoxy, McClaren takes a tour through the varied understandings of Christian faith and pulls together the most compelling facets of each tradition. If you ever thought that orthodoxy sounded boring, McClaren will convince you otherwise.  As he draws together the very best strands from the fabric of Christian faith, McClaren weaves a compelling and rich tapestry that declines to characterize the world as "us and them" and instead sees humanity as "we". McClaren's call for the church to rethink what it is and what it does will cause many to close the book after the first few pages (in fact, he recommends this for those who are comfortable where they are) but read on for you will surely enjoy the journey. - Review by Julian


My Utmost for His Highest

This little book is a classic daily devotional, written by Oswald Chambers.  If you are looking for a good way to start the day with a few minutes of devotional time, then try this!  Oswald Chambers challenges each reader with Scripture and commentary that bear directly on everyday life.  This devotional has been read by millions and remains as important today as on the day when Chambers first began to write it. - Review by Julian

The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering who Jesus was and is

In this fascinating book, theologian N.T. Wright explores how the words and deeds of Jesus would have appeared to his contemporaries.  Wright shows how Jesus claimed for himself roles reserved for Torah (the law) and Temple, with actions such as reinterpreting the law and forgiving the sins of others.  The astounding countercultural life of Jesus is revealed and a new window on the life and times of Jesus is opened.  This book is a "must read" for everyone interested in understanding who Jesus was and is. - Review by Julian

Inspiration and Authority: Nature and Function of Christian Scripture  

What does it mean to speak of Scripture as "inspired"?  Why were some Gospels included in the canon and others were not? And when we hear Scripture described as "authoritative", what exactly does that mean? Why do some people believe that the Biblical text was verbally dictated by God while others see human authors inspired to write with their own words and through their own understanding of the world?  Paul Achtemeier takes on these subjects in a readable and helpful way.  What is it that you are reading when you pick up your Bible?  Achtemeier will help clarify exactly what the Bible is and what it isn't. - Review by Julian

The Return of the Prodigal Son

Henry J. M. Nouwen sat before Rembrandt's  "The Return of the Prodigal Son", in the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and gained new insight into the story told in Luke 15:20-24. Nouwen sees the return of the prodigal son as a story of homecoming - perhaps one better described as the return to the loving father than as the return of the prodigal son. Nouwen's many insights into this story include the fascinating observation that in first century Israel, the natural expectation was that sons grow up to become fathers.  Even prodigal sons can grow up to become loving fathers and, when they do, they come ever closer to the image of God. - Review by Julian

Bible Study that Works

If you have found Bible study to be difficult and frustrating then give this little book by David L. Thompson a try!  According to Thompson, Bible study asks two questions: first, what did the authors intend to say to their original readers?  Second, what are the implications for modern-day readers and for the modern world? Study of the Bible in literary units is recommended and this recognizes that the Biblical books were, in large part, originally written that way.  Thus, a Biblical book has significance as a discrete, yet whole, literary unit  and so studying individual units makes a lot of sense.  Thompson teaches what is known as "inductive" Bible study, a method that allows the text to speak and yet which provides a solid framework for study and understanding.  Give it a try! - Review by Julian

The Greco-Roman World of the New Testament Era

The culture of even the modern near eastern world is mysterious to many Americans and Europeans.  Surely the ancient near east is even more remote from our understanding. This book provides the cultural lens needed for us to see across the chronological and cultural chasm that separates our world from that of the New Testament.  Jeffers begins the first chapter of his book with an imaginary interaction between the reader, transported to the home of a member of the Jewish ruling class in first-century Jerusalem, and her host.  He paints a vivid picture through his description of the clothes worn, the food served, the languages spoken, the subjects of conversation, and so on.  How can the reader understand her host and orient herself to her new environment?  Jeffers moves on in subsequent chapters to provide her with the necessary tools. - Review by Julian

The Acts of the Apostles: a Socio-rhetorical Commentary

People interested in understanding in how the church was originally conceived and how it originated in the first century will often turn to the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible.  New Testament scholar Ben Witherington III provides a fascinating guided tour of the Acts of the Apostles in this commentary, which reads like a novel rather than a text book.  Witherington examines the societal norms of the day and explores the ways in which writers expressed themselves in Greek rhetorical forms, illuminating the text and making it readable and understandable.  This is a big book (some 900 pages or so) but well worth reading.  If you've ever wondered what church might be like, this is the book for you. - Review by Julian

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