The more I read, the more I realized that most formative authors were not the ones that simply restated the truth. They were the ones who mesmerized me with metaphors, who helped me carve out new connections—the ones who engaged my imagination.
Exploring the Legacy of Apollo: A Review of One Giant Leap
On July 20, 1969, much of the world watched with wonder as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin made humankind’s first visit to the surface of the moon. It was an historic moment, one that will (most likely) be notable for generations to come. But, this moment did not happen in a vacuum.
Forging Our Future: A Review of The Synthetic Age
In this provocative book, Christopher Preston presents us with an emerging panorama of the future, which he invites us to help shape. He convincingly argues that we currently, and will increasingly, modify the entire planet from the microscale to the macroscale.
Stories of the Servant of God: A Review of Dorothy Day
Having been at the intersection of so many important moments of 20th century theological and social history, Day’s legacy has been appropriated as a pacifist, as an eco-feminist, as a traditionalist Catholic, and as a family woman.
Resilient Discipleship: A Review of Faith for Exiles
In the same way that Daniel remained faithful in the midst of pressing secular cultural influences, the church today needs to be self-aware and intentional about practicing real discipleship.
Gratitude as Worldview: A Review of Eucharistic Reciprocity
Properly conceived, gratitude is a lens through which we can perceive all of life. This lens is crucial because it helps us, as near-sighted people, to see with the clarity we were originally created to possess.
What Has Jesus to do with John Wayne? A Review of Jesus and John Wayne
Du Mez identifies a patriarchal masculinity embedded in neo-evangelical popular cultures as a primary catalyst for the appeal of Donald Trump to many American evangelicals.
Teaching the Whole Person: A Review of The Learning Cycle
The Learning Cycle is an intriguing collection of theoretical and anecdotal reinforcements for the concept that students are spiritual, emotional, social, and behavioral beings as well as intellectual beings.
The Presence of The Spirit: A Review of A Profound Ignorance
There are possibly no worse times to read a theologian such as Ephraim Radner than during a pandemic. Radner’s prose is simultaneously penetrating and demanding, bordering on the opaque at times, and for a parent working from home with two children, Radner offers no respite.
The Trial of Transformation: A Review of When Narcissism Comes to Church
A narcissistic person displays an over-the-top sense of entitlement and arrogance which seeks to manipulate or humiliate anyone who might call his or her actions into question. This person isn’t a world leader or celebrity. This might be the person you call your pastor.
The Art of Distancing: A Review of How to Do Nothing
In this symposium style review, Matt Drissell (Associate Professor of Art), Leah Zuidema (Vice President for Online & Graduate Education), and Dave Mulder (Associate Professor of Education) each bring perspectives from their area of expertise to discuss Jenny Odell’s book.
Loving the Midwest as it Was, Is, and Will Be: A Review of Midwest Futures
Writing about the Midwest is, as many have observed, the trite cliché which became a reality, and then a marketable commodity. With the American South as the possible competitor here, no other region of the United States is subject to as much bemusement and demeaning observations than the Midwest.
How Might We Teach Christianly?: A Review of On Christian Teaching
Is there such a thing as Christian teaching?
The Power of One: A Review of The Education of an Idealist
Power’s memoir grapples with enduring questions regarding the right roles and responsibilities of government in international affairs, the virtue of idealism, and the power of one to catalyze change.
Preaching in All Places: A Review of A Big Gospel
Stephen Witmer urges pastors to see their congregations and communities as God sees them.
Common Ground for the Common Good: A Review of I Was Hungry
Through his stories and experiences, Everett shares how he learned—sometimes the hard way—to listen well to those closest to the problem, to intentionally share power, and to be present in hard places in communities.
Schooling for the Soul: A Review of Theology as a Way of Life
It is no secret that in many places the areas of science and technology are in high demand (or at least perceived by administrations as being so) and become the priorities for Christian universities. But, in the struggle to keep afloat and to offer new programs befitting an increasingly technocratic world, is there a place—even at Christian universities—for theology to be a topic of study for everyone? The opposition to executing this notion well are legion.
The Novels You Re-read
In this essay I will show how novel reading—and especially novel re-reading—can do what Zylstra says: “disclose God’s glory for human delight.”
Social Media is Politics by Other Means: A Review of LikeWar
Singer and Brooking bring these things to bear in their book, a clarion call for governments, corporations, and individuals alike to take stock of the impact of social media in our contemporary age. Even if warfare and public policy aren’t your thing, Singer and Brooking’s message should not be ignored.
Seeking Out the Seventh Day: A Review of God’s Sabbath with Creation
Even when we do not seek theological understanding, our deepest theological understandings most often follow our feet (39). I believe it is to a generation of theological consumers such as myself whom Skillen writes for—well-meaning Christ followers tapping our feet to an abridged version of scripture that under-amplifies “the greatest commission of all” (53).
Why Question?: A Review of A More Beautiful Question
This bookend to my son’s day is part of a period of intense curiosity in his development. In chapter 2 of the book A More Beautiful Question, Warren Berger quotes a Newsweek story observing that “Preschool children, on average, ask their parents about 100 questions a day.
Recipes, Imagination, and Scripture: A Review of Romans Disarmed
Sylvia Keesmaat and Brian Walsh set out to read Romans in light of the socio-economic location of its author and original recipients, while also giving attention to how we might hear it faithfully in our own, today.
The Legacy of Evangelicalism: A Review of Restless Faith
In his book, Richard Mouw reflects on the historical evangelical legacy and his own journey as an evangelical. Mouw intertwines his personal faith journey with reflections on a variety of topics, including hymns, dialogue across lines of difference, and engagement in the public square.
2019 Top Books
Compiled by iAt’s Editorial Board, this diverse list of books gives a variety of topics and genres to consider as you discern what to read in 2020.
Book Review: Singing the Congregation: How Contemporary Worship Music Forms Evangelical Community
Church musicians are prompt to assert that the musical practices of communal Christian worship shape us: What we sing and how we sing together forms us powerfully. Given the wealth of resources available on the topics of congregational worship and the music heard in our churches today, it is easy to be overwhelmed with new trends, new technologies, and new innovations.