The Month in Reviews: September 2025
Introduction
Wonder. Two of my books this month had wonder in the title. One was on the spirituality of reading and the other on listening to classical music. Two sources of wonder in my life. One of the other sources of wonder in my life is scripture and studies on 1 Corinthians and Isaiah 52:13-53:12 were rich sources of reflection. On a different note, I thoroughly enjoyed a biography of Earl Weaver, one of the most colorful and effective managers in modern baseball. I also spent a good part of the month in R.F. Kuang’s descent into hell, which turned out to be an academic satire.
I was challenged by books on greed, ambition, and downsizing faith. Two books I reviewed address the crisis of sexual abuse in the church. A couple books explored Genesis and Christian attitudes toward science. Want to learn about the ichthus Christogram? I reviewed a book on that. Tony Campolo completed a memoir shortly before his death last November that brought back memories of hearing him speak and his influence on many of the students with whom I worked. Finally, I enjoyed a collection of Dorothy L. Sayers short stories and finished the month with an Agatha Christie Poirot mystery.
The Reviews
The Anti-Greed Gospel, Malcolm Foley. Brazos Press (ISBN: 9781587436307) 2025. Argues that greed is the root of racism and calls the church to economic solidarity, anti-violence, and truth-telling. Review
Paul Planted, Apollos Watered, but God, Christopher Sadowitz and Jim Harries, editors, foreword by Kenneth Nehrbass. Resource Publications (ISBN: 9781666764277) 2023. A theology and praxis of mission centered on vulnerability, weakness, humility, and dependence. Review
The Last Manager, John W. Miller. Avid Reader Press (ISBN: 9781668030929) 2025. A biography of manager Earl Weaver, his baseball career, his strategic innovations, and his feisty character. Review
1 Corinthians: A Theological, Pastoral & Missional Commentary, Michael J. Gorman. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802882660) 2025. A theological, pastoral, and missional commentary designed for all wanting a careful exposition of the text. Review
New Explorations in the Lost World of Genesis (The Lost World Series) John H. Walton with J. Harvey Walton. IVP Academic (ISBN: 9781514004913) 2025. Reviews his work, adds new insights and clarifications, and answers frequently asked questions. Review
Year of Wonder, Clemency Burton-Hill. Harper (ISBN: 9780062856203) 2018. A guide to classical music introducing readers to one selection each day with a short introduction to the composer and work. Review
The God of Monkey Science, Janet Kellogg Ray. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802883193) 2023. An evangelical Christian science educator explores anti-science beliefs and being true to both faith and science. Review
The Cost of Ambition, Miroslav Volf. Brazos Press (ISBN: 9781587434815) 2025. Ambition diminishes us while a life of excellence with proper humility ennobles us and enriches our relationships. Review
Safe Church, Dr. Andrew J. Bauman. Baker Books (ISBN: 9781540903976) 2025. Identifies the forms of abuse and sexism toward women in the church and practices of churches where women are safe. Review
Downsizing, Michelle Van Loon. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802884626) 2025. A memoir of a fifty-year evangelical journey and the unhelpful ideas and practices to be downsized to embrace an authentic faith. Review
Hangman’s Holiday (Lord Peter Wimsey, 9), Dorothy L. Sayers. Open Road Media (ISBN: 9781453262535) 2012 (first published in 1933). Mysteries in short story form featuring Lord Peter Wimsey and wine merchant Montague Egg plus two other tales. Review
Katabasis, R. F. Kuang. Harper Voyager (ISBN: 9780063021471) 2025. Two graduate students studying Magick follow their deceased advisor on a journey through Hell, struggling to trust each other. Review
The Ichthus Christogram and Other Early Christian Symbols, J. Daniel Hays. Kregel Academic (ISBN: 9780825448218) 2025. A study of the Ichthus Christogram, showing site examples, and their use. Review
World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading, Jeff Crosby, foreword by Carolyn Weber. Paraclete Press (ISBN: 9781640609457) 2025. On reading as a spiritual practice and how books may transform our lives. Review
Pilgrim: A Theological Memoir, Tony Campolo, with Steve Rabey. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802884947) 2025. A memoir of Tony Campolo, popular speaker. social activist, and college professor, tracing his theological development. Review
The New Men (Strangers and Brothers, 6) C. P. Snow. Open Road Integrated Media (ISBN: 9781504097000) 2024 (First published in 1954). The tension between two brothers involved in nuclear weapons research during and after World War 2 in England. Review
Lead Boldly, Martin Luther King, Jr with Robert F. Smith (Foreword by Rev. Dr. Bernice A. King). HarperCollins Leadership (ISBN: 9781400244102) 2025. Leadership principles from seven speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and how they may be integrated into a leadership journey. Review
Accountability, Healing, and Trust, Edited by Kimberly Hope Belcher and David A. Clairmont. Liturgical Press (ISBN: 9780814688977) 2025. Papers from a 2022 conference at Notre Dame addressing the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. Review
Thinning the Veil, Shane J. Wood. IVP Academic (ISBN: 9781514009222) 2025. An exposition of the Book of Revelation centered on the idea that it is “the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Review
Behold My Servant, John Calvin, translated by Robert White. Banner of Truth (ISBN: 9781800405080) 2025. Seven sermons by John Calvin on Isaiah 52:13-53:12, the fourth “Servant Song” emphasizing his death for the sins of many. Review
Hickory Dickory Dock (Hercule Poirot, 34), Agatha Christie. William Morrow (ISBN: 9780062073969) 2011 (first published in 1955). Poirot’s secretary’s sister is warden at a student hostel subject to a baffling string of petty thefts. Review
Best Book of the Month
I’ve always liked books on books and reading but Jeff Crosby knocked it out of the park. His World of Wonders articulated everything about a spirituality of reading that has knocked around in my brain, told through accounts of books that have had a transforming influence in his life. And every booklover will love his booklists at the end of each chapter.
Quote of the Month
I suspect many think Calvin sterile and stuffy. I didn’t find him so in the Institutes, nor in a book I reviewed this month, Behold My Servant. Consider this appeal to his readers:
“Accordingly, let us learn to come to this source and fountainhead, so that we may draw from him all that we lack, Our Lord Jesus Christ has sufficient to satisfy all of us. We should not fear that the fullness of grace which he possess will ever run dry; he will give us his part and portion to each one who comes seeking it in him. Let us come boldly, then to our Lord Jesus Christ” (p. 53).
What I’m Reading
My son is a Terry Pratchett fan and he recently passed along the Discworld Novels to me (all 41 in e-book format!). I’m on number One, The Color of Magic. I think I’m in the “getting acclimated” stage and find myself enjoying things more as I approach the end of the first book. Recently, I started Patrick Ryan’s Buckeye, a novel set in post World War 2 time period in a small town in northwest Ohio. Early in my work life, I lived in that part of Ohio and visited a number of those towns. Ryan captures the feel of those places.
I’m just starting The Asylum Seekers by Cristina Rathbone on what it is like to seek asylum at the U.S/Mexico border. I’ve also just begun Gary Burge’s commentary on Galatians and Ephesians in the “Through Old Testament Eyes” series, a series I’ve really liked. Finally. Ronald Rohlheiser is a Catholic author I’ve deeply appreciated. Insane for the Light explores our final years, how we navigate the dark nights of our twilight years and how we may give ourselves away in these years, both in life and death. I’ve seen a lot of books on spiritual life that seem directed to the important mid-life years but few to our elder years.
The Month in Reviews is my monthly review summary going back to 2014! It’s a great way to browse what I’ve reviewed. The search box on this blog also works well if you are looking for a review of a particular book. Thanks for stopping by.