The Weekly Wrap: May 25-31

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The Weekly Wrap: May 25-31

AI Laziness

A romantic novel in which the AI prompt was never edited out. A White House report on health citing non-existent sources. An article with summer book recommendations in which some of the authors existed but not the books attributed to them.

One might argue that each of these expose the flaws of AI. I suspect what they really expose is the flaws of the particular humans using this tool. Laziness that doesn’t carefully line edit, that doesn’t verify sources, and that doesn’t confirm the existence and availability of books. Similar to computer programming, AI is only as good as the prompts given it. “Garbage in, garbage out.”

Actually, AI has become quite good. A college professor friend now considers AI capable of writing at a professorial level. He shared examples of using AI in various forms of analysis of large amounts of material.

But one thing both of us are agreed upon is that AI offers a dangerous temptation to let it do our thinking for us. It may be a student writing a paper or an author cranking out a steamy novel. What we are doing when we let AI think for us is denying the intrinsic worth of thinking. For many of us, hammering out our ideas in writing serves to clarify thought.

Lest you think I am an AI Luddite, I do believe AI may be a helpful interlocutor in the process. I might ask AI to evaluate an argument for weaknesses or to raise counter arguments. It strikes me that when the chance to do this with real people is unavailable, this could be quite helpful. However, I am still thinking, and indeed, am forced to think harder and better.

I guess what it comes down to is that the ability to think and reason and create from our thoughts is one of the things that makes us human. I’m just not willing to give that up. I’m not ready to slack on the hard work of being a thinking human.

Five Articles Worth Reading

Alasdair MacIntyre, the philosopher, died recently. Charles Matthewes reviews his life and work in “Remembering Alasdair MacIntyre.”

“In a nation known for its relatively poor health, nearly everybody seems to be thinking about how to be healthy….” This line in “The Perilous Spread of the Wellness Craze” captured my attention. Sheila McClear explores the connection between our health care inequalities and the explosion of the wellness industry.

Nick Ripatrazone explores the decline of literary criticism in “The Art of the Critic.” Specifically, he argues for the importance of criticism as a benefit not only to audiences but to writers.

Geraldine Brooks is popular with many readers. Her husband died in 2019. In this interview, “Geraldine Brooks Is a Widow Now,” she talks about loss, grief, writing, and her Jewish faith.

Finally, the summer can be a great time to break out of our reading ruts. The New York Times Book Review has published a “Summer Reading Bucket List” of ten literary “to-do’s,” challenging us to see if we can check off five. The even include a copiable checklist!

…And a Video Worth Watching

The Covenant of Water was one of my favorite books of 2024. I have Cutting for Stone on my reading stack. On Thursday, physician and author Abraham Verghese gave the commencement address at Harvard. One of his pieces of advice for students was to commend the importance of reading novels. As an immigrant to the U.S., he also had some thoughtful and challenging critiques of our current political scene. In case you haven’t seen the video, it is worth watching, especially if you appreciate his writing.

Quote of the Week

G. K. Chesterton was born May 29, 1874. I’ve often appreciated his wit and turn of phrase. This one has some good advice:

“Don’t ever take a fence down until you know why it was put up.”

Miscellaneous Musings

Regular followers of this blog may have noticed that I have been posting two reviews a day this week. One of these has been of a children’s book published by IVP Kids. What a joy. I’ve loved the combination of brilliant illustration, good writing, and especially the inclusive character of these books. The first book I reviewed, Jesus Loves the Little Children, typified this approach showing pictures of children from every culture as well as children with disabilities. The reason for the extra reviews? I wanted to review these books, compliments of IVP Kids, before passing them along to our church’s Little Free Library, which we’ve just set up.

I was thrilled to visit the new Barnes & Noble store in Dublin, Ohio. When I walked in, it took my breath away–it was huge and overwhelming at first. And it was packed. But I like how the different sections were set apart from each other, many with comfortable seating. Not only that, the cafe was huge. But there was one drawback: the checkout and service counter was smaller than in the old store. And the lines were long.

I like the writing of Amor Towles. And I love bookstores, in case you haven’t noticed. I enjoyed this brief video clip of Towles supporting BINC, a national foundation supporting independent booksellers.

Next Week’s Reviews

Monday: The Month in Reviews: May 2025

Tuesday: Ian Harber, Walking Through Deconstructioin

Wednesday: Josephine Quinn, How the World Made the West

Thursday: Brian Goldstone, There is No Place For Us

Friday: Terence Halliday and K.K. Yeo, eds., Justice and Rights

So, that’s The Weekly Wrap for May 25-31, 2025!

Find past editions of The Weekly Wrap under The Weekly Wrap heading on this page

Review: Birth of the Chosen One

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Cover image of "Birth of the Chosen One" by terry Wildman, illustrated by Hannah and Holly Buchanan

Birth of the Chosen One, Terry Wildman, illustrated by Hannah and Holly Buchanan. IVP Kids (ISBN: 9781514007020) 2024.

Summary: An account of the birth of Jesus based on the First Nations Version reflecting Native oral storytelling.

Many of us who have read and heard the narratives of the New Testament have appreciated hearing the story afresh through the First Nations Version of the New Testament. This is a true translation by a team of First Nations translators led by Terry Wildman. They sought to translate the New Testament into English in a way that captured the idioms of indigenous storytellers. One distinctive is the translation of names, which carry great meaning among indigenous peoples. Instead of translating the Aramaic pronunciation of the name, they translate its meaning. For example, in this story “:Mary” is translated “Bitter Tears” and “Jesus” is translated “Creator Sets Free.”

The Christmas story is one of those familiar stories. However, this book, using the First Nations Version and illustrations by Native artists reflecting Native settings, dress, and imagery, offers a fresh rendering of the familiar story. For instance, consider these words from the Annunciation that sent chills through me:

“Do not fear! The Great Spirit has chosen to honor you and give you a son. You will name him Creator Sets Free, for he will set people free from their bad hearts and broken ways. He will be chief over all the tribes and his chiefly guidance will never end.”

Bitter Tears asked, “How will this be?”

Creator’s Mighty One answered, “The Holy Spirit will spread his wings over you, and his great power from above will overshadow you. This holy child born to you will be the Son of the One Above Us All.”

Then, on the opposite page from these last words we see Bitter Tears overshadowed by wings and light. This is challenging to render and done beautifully.

The desert journey and search for a place to give birth captures the precarity of this journey and search. We witness the awe and joy of the shepherd, the adoring visit of the Seekers of Wisdom. Meanwhile, the angelic host are rendered as a spirit messenger surrounded by great soaring eagles representing spirit warriors.

The Native artists, twin sisters, sumptuously illustrate the book with a vivid color palette including deep shades of violet skies filled with stars, colorful Native clothing, desert landscapes and a young mother filled with ponderings of what this all means.

While designed for First Nations readers, the translation and renderings helps all of us see and hear an old story with fresh eyes and ears. Pick this up now to have it on hand for your Christmas celebrations later this year.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: If the Ocean Has a Soul

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Cover image of "If the Ocean Has a Soul" by Rachel G. Jordan

If the Ocean Has a Soul, Rachel G. Jordan. Tyndale Refresh (ISBN: 9798400505843) 2025.

Summary: Meshes marine biology and biblical insights, exploring the integration of science and faith.

From childhood, Rachael Jordan loved the ocean. It began with sea urchins that poke and crabs that pinch. But far from turning her off, she found herself wondering what else lurked in the ocean. Only later did she discover that the deeps she explored as a marine biologist could deepen her faith She also discovered her faith could speak to realities not quantifiable by her science. Each enhanced the other.

Jordan went on from shoreside explorations to graduate training. From there, her research led to a position as a coral biologist and lead of the Coral Response Team for the Dry Tortugas National Park. Later, she worked at Australia’s Marine Aquaculture Research Facility. In this book she recounts her experiences from her training for professional certification as a scuba diver to her exploration of and efforts to save dying coral reefs. She describes the impact of the die-off of these reefs and the impact this would have on the array of beautiful creatures who make these reefs their home.

Each chapter mixes scientific observations from her work and reflections upon her faith. For example, as she writes about coral die-off in a chapter titled “Valley of the Shadow,” she goes on to a biblical reflection on the significance of death in a fallen creation and the renewal of creation through the risen Lord.

I found a chapter on “Buddy Breathing” equally compelling. Humans can’t live in the depths she explores, and only the equipment she dons sustains her life. But things go wrong from getting lost to equipment failure to injury. Therefore, dive buddies and advance procedures relentlessly trained mean the difference between life and death. She draws lessons on everything from scripture’s instructions to our dependence on the Lord from these experiences.

She fills her accounts with with wonder. Descriptions of coral. Colorful fish. Snuggling with seahorses. And the symphony of voices of the coral, pods of dolphins and more distant resonant soundings of whales. This is mixed with reflections on the Psalms and considerations of the wonders of God’s purposes and workings in a beautiful and broken world.

Instead of a polemic on science and faith, Jordan seamlessly weaves rigorous science and a life of faith. Not only did I find this a delight, but the interest of team members in her faith reflected that there is the savor of Christ in her work. Rather than warfare between science and faith, there is wonder. And for me, that makes for a better story.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Zion Learns to See

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Cover image for "Zion Learns to See" by Terence Lester and Zion Lester, illustrated by Subi Bosa

Zion Learns to See, Terence Lester and Zion Lester, illustrated by Subi Bosa. IVP Kids (ISBN: 781514006696) 2024.

Summary: Zion goes to work with her father at the community center and learns how those experiencing homelessness matter to God.

Terence Lester leads a community mobilization organization addressing various poverty issues. One Saturday, as he was headed out the door to work, he asked his daughter if she’d like to come with him. She decides this is more interesting than helping with household chores. As they drive to the center, she notices the neighborhood changing. she sees tents on the sidewalks.

Dad stops to get her favorite breakfast sandwich–then orders 50 more! They are for the people on the street around the center. Dad calls them “friends.” He knew their names and introduced each to Zion as she gave them a sandwich.

These happy moments are disturbed when Zion hears a driver curse out a homeless family. She can’t understand why someone would do that. Terence doesn’t know either but says that when you understand that every person matters to God, you begin to see them differently.

They talk about why these people don’t have homes (in the afterword, we learn over a million school children are homeless). As they pass out basic necessities, Zion meets lots of homeless people that day–adults, teens, and young children. They share about God’s love.

Zion decides two things. She wants to go back and also tell others what she saw. And some amazing things happen after that, including this book!

This beautifully told story by the Lesters is accompanied by the illustrations of Subi Bosa. Together, story and art convey the joy of treating people as those who matter to God. But there was one unhappy person in the story– that irate driver who just saw people living on the street. It’s a story that builds compassion and shows how we can matter to those who matter to God. Even when they don’t to society.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Makers by Nature

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Cover image of "Makers by Nature" by Bruce Herman

Makers by Nature, Bruce Herman. IVP Academic (ISBN: 9781514009802) 2025.

Summary: Letters to students, artists, and friends on calling, making, and process, with reproduced works by the author.

Bruce Herman taught studio art for four decades, setting up the art program at Gordon College. This allowed him time for work in his own studio, resulting in works exhibited throughout the world as well as in many private collections. In this work, presented as letters to students and friends in the art world, he share his insights on faith and art, how he has pursued his calling, and many of the issues facing artists.

Herman describes these as “imaginary” letters but they certainly have the feel of real correspondence including affirmation of specifics of an artist’s work, remembrances of time spent together, and even details regarding payment for a work. Each “chapter” consists of letters written to a particular artist, many of whom were former students. Each collection focuses around a particular aspect of making art. With each, Herman includes a reproduction of a work referenced in the correspondence.

Herman talks about artistic process, the mysterious gift of work and using one’s skills to serve that work. He explores issues of theology such as the rendering of glory in suffering, and the place of paradox in art. He describes his own unfolding sense of vocation and his decisive choice to not pursue the contemporary art scene to support a family and the gift of being able to teach and make art without financial stresses.

One of the most striking chapters was a discussion of “style” with “Angela.” He proposes that thinking too much about style is akin to thinking too much about walking or breathing. Rather, he writes:

“We need to fall in love with our subject matter, not our manner of execution or our own handwriting. The beautiful irony is that if we forget about ourselves and our style, we will discover a far greater love. The work will come into being and become a portal of meaning, and style will be a grace, not a possession.”

Throughout, in this sequence and elsewhere, the theme of “serving the work” recurs.

Most of all, Herman explores how his faith intersects with his artistic practice. Whether it is the grace of what is given that the artist serve or the offering up of one’s work as prayer. Then Herman also explores the rendering of religious events like the Annunciation and the incredibly difficult matter of visually rendering the “overshadowing” of the Virgin.

Finally, Herman writes to Jesus. Instead of saccharine praise, Herman expresses his discouragement with himself. The issue is sin and he laments his own “cussedness.” Yet in the end, he senses that weakness is the place of grace “and good fuel for art.

A wonderful bonus to this rich collection of personal communications is an appendix of artworks. They are a gift from former students presented on the occasion of his retirement. In sum, this book is a feast for eyes and heart. Especially, it is a gift to any engaged in creative making, from a wise maker devoted to the Master Maker.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Not Finished Yet

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Cover image of "Not Finished Yet" by Sharon Garlough Brown, illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans

Not Finished Yet, Sharon Garlough Brown, illustrated by Jessica Linn Evans. IVP Kids (ISBN: 9781514007952) 2024.

Summary: While “painting prayers” with Gran, Wren discovers she can honestly share all her feelings with God.

An old shed behind the farm house was a wonderful place for Gran and Wren. It’s where they painted together. Some of their paintings didn’t look like much. But Gran defended the mess, saying that you finish a painting when you sign your name.

One of the things Gran and Wren like to do was “paint prayers.” For example, a painted squiggle served to say “Dear God.” Wren wanted to paint feeling special. She picked out colors that felt “special.” But when she put paint to canvas, it looked like an ugly dark blob. Instead of special, she felt awful. Gran asked her for a title to express all the feelings in the blob. Finally, she said, “disappointed.”

Gran asks her to think about and paint her disappointments. A lot had to do with how others treated her at school, or when animals died. Then she dares to admit she sometimes God disappoints her. Gran calls her brave to be able to admit that, and if Gran wasn’t disappointed with her, maybe God wasn’t. And so she paints the sad and scary things she wants to say to God.

It ends up that she does feel special. Heard. What she thought and felt mattered to God. And she signed her name. And in Gran’s embrace, Gran talks about how God isn’t finished yet with the scary, broken world and imagines with her the day he signs his name.

Some, who know Brown’s novel Shades of Light will recognize Wren. But even if not, the story stands on its own as a beautiful statement about how we can be honest with God about all our feelings. It even suggests how we might use the arts in giving expression to what is within us. Complementing the text, the illustrations of Jessica Linn Evans take us into the feelings of Wren. Most of all, Sharon Garlough Brown reminds us of what it means to face the sad and scary and lean into the hope that God, too, will someday be done.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Gutta Percha Willie

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Cover image of "Gutta Percha Willie" by George MacDonald

Gutta Percha Willie, George MacDonald. Rosetta Books (ASIN: B07KX64ZB3) 2018 (first published in 1873).

Summary: The story of a young boy who gives himself to discover his own work within God’s work and how he finds his vocation.

This story is a kind of Horatio Alger story with a spiritual twist. Willie Macmichael is the son of a country doctor, beloved by his patients. The doctor has an interesting educational philosophy, letting Willie learn on his own until he’s ready and motivated to go to school. So Willie explores about the village. Conversations with a widow who knits and sews persuade him that it might be time to find some worthy work to do. As he discusses her contention that we work but God doesn’t need to with his father, he is persuaded that God is always working and that the work of people is found within that work.

So he goes about exploring the world of work, trying shoe-making, carpentry, and blacksmithing, becoming proficient in each and making friends with those who taught him. He figures out on his own how to read, reading to Hector, the shoe-maker. Then he is ready for school, in which he delights.

He and a friend discover an old well. Willie, endlessly clever, devises a way to pump water to irrigate his parent’s garden, and then makes a Rube Goldberg alarm to wake himself up to stargaze at night. When his Granny needs to move in, he determines to make one of the rooms in the nearby ruins of an old building habitable. Spelman, the carpenter helps him, and he helps Spelman with water from the well, which seems to have healing properties.

That brings us to another aspect of Willie’s character. He has a tender heart. He wants to save his mother waking to feed his baby sister. Later, when Agnes wishes she were a bird that could perch in the trees, Willie works unbeknownst to her to create a place in the trees, safely reached. He moves to give his grandmother room, and later, an ill tradesman.

But it is a conversation with the town clergy that plays a key part in Willie finding his vocation. And it is not as a minister. Rather, it will involve the old ruins, the well, and a partnership with his father. None of what Willie has done is wasted. Instead, it weaves into good work beyond what Willie could have imagined.

I have to admit, Willie seems to be too good to be true. This was written while MacDonald was editing Good Words for the Young and is the second of his boy’s novels. He makes a few mistakes in his inventions, but, if I recall correctly, is guilty of no deliberate wrongdoing. Unlike Pilgrim’s Process, there seems to be no straying from the path that makes one chastened but wiser. I can’t help wondering if boys might have better identified with Willie if there had been a bit of mischief.

That said, while probably not one of the best of MacDonald’s stories, it is diverting and delightful. It points us toward the practical truth that we find our vocation as we faithfully do the work at hand. And with that, we find that we indeed work within the work of God.

Review: Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World

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Cover image for "Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World" by Helen Lee, Illustrated by Shin Maeng

Kaylee Prays for the Children of the World, Helen Lee, illustrated by Shin Maeng. IVP Kid (ISBN: 9781514009161) 2025.

Summary: Kaylee and her grandfather learn of needy children in the news and struggle for words to pray.

“God, do you care about this boy?

“God, do you care about all these children in the world?”

“There is so much to pray for!”

How do you pray when it is all jumble and you can’t find the words?

Kaylee and her Korean-American grandfather Halbi read the newspaper at breakfast each morning. When they see a story of a child in need, they cut out the picture and pray for the child and pin the picture to a world map full of pictures.

This morning, Kaylee sees a picture of a boy from Turkey, standing in front of a row of tents, made of blankets. He looks sad, with tears in his eyes. Kaylee wonders if God really cares for him. She looks at their world map and sees so many pictures. Children from North Korea, India, South Sudan and even the United States.

There are so many, Kaylee is not sure how to pray for all the brokenness in the world. She remembers God promises to help when we don’t have words and she prays “Help me, Holy Spirit.” And suddenly the words come as she prays in English, Halbi in Korean, and Keedo, their dog, in his own language (“Keedo” is Korean for “prayer”).

Helen Lee takes the hard questions at the heart of intercessory prayer and offers the quiet hope that God helps and hears that bears fruit in joy and peace. She also offers in this story a wonderful model of learning about and responding prayerfully to the world’s needs. She even introduces us to the Korean practice of tongsung kido, the Korean practice of simultaneous prayer.

In addition, the illustrations by Shin Maeng captures the shifting moods and emotions in this story while visually portraying the world’s children for whom they pray. In short, this briefly told story speaks to the challenges parents and children face as they pray. And it invites us to ask the Holy Spirit’s help to untangle our words and help us pray. It is a story to speak to a child’s heart. It spoke to mine.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Knock at the Sky

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Cover image of "Knock at the Sky" by Liz Charlotte Grant

Knock at the Sky. Liz Charlotte Grant, foreword by Sarah Bessey. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (ISBN: 9780802883759) 2025.

Summary: After losing faith in biblical inerrancy, the author returns to Genesis with all her questions, seeking God in the story.

Liz Charlotte Grant grew up as a card-carrying evangelical. Mission trips, a minor in Bible from a Christian college, quiet time, and kissing dating good-bye. And then, approaching her forties, the certitudes stopped working. She joined the ranks of those deconstructing her faith. This included giving up her faith in an inerrant Bible. But, as this book shows, it did not mean giving up on either the Bible or God. In fact, it led her into an intense reading of Genesis, not to determine its historicity but to bring her story, with all her questions to the story of Genesis 1-32. She describes her approach as midrashic. She writes, as she invites the reader to join her:

“What else can we find in the Bible besides fact? What does the Bible say about reality, about death, about the purposes and origins of humanity? What does the Bible reveal about God? Ask and you will receive. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will blow wide open. Thanks be to God.”

In succeeding chapters Grant weaves her close reading of Genesis with Jewish commentators and Christian theologians, contemporary music and art, and archaeology and nature. Most of all, she weaves in her own questions, “knocking at the sky” as she seeks God. In the creation account, she considers how unlike God’s voice is to any other voice. The closest she comes to it is whale songs. She suggests we might well try standing on our heads as we read! In the narrative of the fall, she explores how deeply God values human freedom, unlike some controlling churches. She references James Fowler’s Stages of Faith, discussing how important the process of moving through doubt is to mature faith.

Succeeding chapters explore the flood narratives, Babel, and then focus on the life of Abraham. Why does he answer the call of God to leave Haran? Then what do we make of Sarah’s infertility in light of the promise, and her resort to Hagar as a surrogate? What do we make of the fact that God spoke to Hagar and was named by her? But the most troubling is the binding of Isaac. In this case, did Abraham hear God wrong and what do we make of God’s provision? Finally, we come to the night of Jacob’s wrestling. Not only does all his checkered past come to focus, but also his resolve to be blessed.

Not only do we encounter different interpretive possibilities and a host of questions. We also, as we read with Grant, encounter the mysterious, transcendent presence of the God who welcomes the questions, the wrestling, and the knocking.

You may not agree with Grant on her doctrine of scripture. But do you read scripture with the fierce tenacity she brings to the text? You may claim that you bring everything to God in prayer. But do you “knock at the sky” with the unvarnished honesty Grant brings to her study? Instead of certitude, I found in what Grant writes a gritty faith that hangs onto God through doubt and keeps expecting God to show up. When we hear of faith deconstruction, we fear people are abandoning Christ. While that sometimes is the case, Grant offers an example of moving from unquestioning certainty to truly seeking after and being found by God.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Review: Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World

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Cover image of ":Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World" by Tara Hackney.

Jesus Loves the Little Children, All the Children of the World, Tara Hackney. IVP Kids (ISBN: 9781514010495) 2025.

Summary: A board book with a fresh version of this song and images representing all the children of the world.

Many of us grew up singing “Jesus Loves the Little Children” in Sunday School. But in more recent years, some have struggled with the racially stereotypic language of the third line of the song. Yet the idea of Jesus love for all children (and we were all once children) is a wonderful truth, especially in our divisive times.

IVP Kids is publishing a wonderful new board book written by Tara Hackney, who founded Jesus Loves You Ministries. And one of the first things I liked about this book are the fresh lyrics to this familiar children’s song. There are three verses of them! Here is the first. And notice the new third line:

Jesus loves the little children,
all the children of the world.
Every color, every shade,
just exactly as he made,
Jesus loves the little children of the world!

As is evident on the cover image, the photography in this book represents children from around the world in all sorts of settings–different seasons, activities, and dress. In addition, I particularly appreciated the representation of children with disabilities. The images include a child who appears to be undergoing cancer treatments, a child in a wheelchair, and a child with Down Syndrome.

Another plus of this book is that it is child safe. Not only are the page edges rounded but the publisher indicates that the gloss coating is non-toxic. Young children not only like to read books. They have to taste them as well!

In conclusion, this book is an absolute joy to look at, read, and even sing to your children. Not only does it speak of Jesus’s love for all children. It shows it. I can’t think of any better for a child’s first book!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for review.