4.30 avg rating — 1,327 ratings

"An evangelical social ethicist, Gushee has concluded that he and the church have been wrong about this community, and has come out as an ally and advocate. There were several books that came out this year, including books by Mark Achtemeier and Ken Wilson that give voice to a change of heart and mind. All three are excellent, but of the three I have to say that David's is the most powerful statement. Read all three, but start with this volume."

3.71 avg rating — 14 ratings

"Richard Lischer is a teacher of preachers, and he approaches the parables of Jesus from that perspective, bringing them alive, and inviting us to move beyond historical-critical analysis to creative and imaginative engagement with these important stories from Jesus"

4.27 avg rating — 56 ratings

"Many Americans live with the illusion that we live in a post-racial society -- after all, we elected an African American President -- but the events of recent years belie that idea. While many think they are "color blind," facts on the ground suggest a different reality. One of the leading voices today regarding issues of justice and racial reconciliation has been William Barber, a Disciples Pastor and President of the North Carolina NAACP. This book brings together speeches and presentations made in a number of engagements, including several from the Moral Monday efforts, which he helped found. His vision is rooted in faith, much like the earlier Civil Rights efforts, and is broad in scope. The book is a must read for all who care about our country and its future."

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2 ratings

"Living as we do in an age when the value of institutional religion is being questioned, the formal ecumenical movement has lost much of its steam. But once, not so long ago, there was a dream to create a powerful unified mainline Protestant church that would stand tall with the Roman Catholic Church. Much work was done in resolving long standing issues of ministry, theology, membership, and sacraments. In the end, the churches couldn't make the jump, but the work done has made significant contributions to Protestant Christianity. Keith Watkins, a participant in the work of the Consultation on Church Union has written an important study of COCU and its impact. It is well worth reading. "

4.41 avg rating — 17 ratings

" I am not a Wesley scholar (I am a student of 18th century English church history however), but I believe that Geordan's examination of Wesley's desire to implement what he believed was primitive Christianity (as filtered through high church Anglican and Nonjuror thought and practice) is groundbreaking and could change our understanding of Wesley and his mission in important ways. It is scholarly but accessible. "

3.80 avg rating — 5 ratings

"Deanna Thompson's recent contribution to Westminster John Knox Press's Belief series of theological commentaries is insightful, theologically rich, and a joy to read. Rarely do Christian preachers or bible students turn to Deuteronomy, but in Thompson's hands the text comes alive. She deals with matters of covenant, which are so important to the Christian faith and the question of divine wrath, which tends to be off-putting for contemporary Christians. All in all, this is a commentary to add to one's library so as it can be turned to with regularity"

really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 477 ratings

"We have been living in an era of the mega-church, which like modern malls are destination churches. Usually built near a freeway, one can come and go quickly, without engaging the neighborhood. In this book, which pairs nicely with Slow Church above, the authors of this book call us to focus more tightly on the neighborhoods in which the church exists. They take the older vision of the church as parish, where the concern of the congregation was not simply for its members, but for the entire neighborhood. It is an insightful and challenging book that deserves our attention. "

4.26 avg rating — 852 ratings

"Dietrich Bonhoeffer has been the subject of numerous biographies and studies. Some are insightful and some are not. This biography covers similar ground as other biographies, but in ways that previous writers have not done quite as well, Charles Marsh humanizes Bonhoeffer. He can be petulant, self-absorbed, and possibly unsure of his sexual identity. Though some have suggested that Marsh portrays Bonhoeffer as being gay, Marsh is careful to note that whatever his sexual orientation/identity he remained celibate till his death. An excellent read. "

3.99 avg rating — 799 ratings

"In an increasingly fast-paced world, Chris Smith and John Pattison take a clue from the slow food movement and urge us to slow down, so that we might engage in conversation with God and with each other. It is a call for the church to be a community where lives are transformed and empowered for ministry in the world. It is counter-intuitive but could revolutionize the church. This is a must read."

4.52 avg rating — 3,955 ratings

"Where to put James Martin's study of Jesus? It is part biography, part travelogue, part biblical study. Whatever the nature of the book, James Martin, SJ, chaplain to Stephen Colbert, brings wonderful insight to the life and teachings of Jesus by taking us on a pilgrimage to the sites where these events are alleged to have taken place. In doing so, we find ourselves engrossed in history, social realities, and more. A wonderful book by a most engaging author."

4.20 avg rating — 213 ratings

"As one engaged in faith-based community organizing I am always on the lookout for books and resources that help define this work in ways that keep the work spiritually/theologically grounded. There were several books that appeared this year, including Roger Gench's Theology from the Trenches, which I found to be extremely insightful and helpful. I have chosen to highlight this book by Alexia Salvatierra and Peter Heltzel, because it expands the vision beyond traditional organizing premises to focus on the need for solidarity, a vision that can be of great help for congregations and activists who live in more comfortable circumstances. By the way, I would encourage the reading of both this book and that by Gench, for they are complementary."