Review: The Return of the Kingdom

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Cover image of The Return of the Kingdom" by Stephen G. Dempster

The Return of the Kingdom (Essential Studies in Biblical Theology) , Stephen G. Dempster. IVP Academic (ISBN: 9780830842919) 2024.

Summary: Traces the themes of kingship and kingdom throughout Scripture from creation to new creation.

How would you summarize the storyline of the Bible in a phrase. Stephen G. Dempster proposes the succinct phrase, “the return of the kingdom” will serve well. He argues that the Bible presents a vision of the creation as a temple over which God is king and human beings his vicegerents and a kingdom of priests. That kingdom was disrupted when human beings rebelled against God’s calling. Hence, the rest of the story is how God works to restore that kingdom and humanity to their rightful place.

In this book, Dempster traces the theme of the return of the kingdom through the whole of scripture, as part of a series covering essential theological themes in scripture. Thus, he begins with a chapter setting out the big picture. He does so by looking at how Genesis 1-3, the creation, and Revelation 21-22, new creation, bookend the story of scripture. Specifically, he frames a story of creation, fall, and a greater restoration.

In subsequent chapters, Dempster traces this theme from creation, through a thoughtful exploration of the fall narrative and the spread of sin, resulting in the flood. Dempster moves from patriarchal narratives through the exodus and the establishing of a nation over which God is king. From here, he follows the Hebrew scripture order, showing kingdom growth and decline in the former prophets and the once and future kingdom in the latter prophets. Under the Writings, the Psalms and Wisdom literature teach us kingdom prayer, life, and hope. The Daniel through Chronicles portray the posture of an exiled people awaiting the kingdom.

Turning to the New Testament, Dempster covers this corpus in four chapters, one on Matthew, one on the remaining gospels, one on Acts and all the letters, and one on Revelation. I found the allocation of his attention puzzling. For example, Acts, the Pauline and Catholic epistles are discussed in eleven pages, half of which is devoted to Acts. Likewise, the chapter on Matthew is nearly twice as long as the chapter on Mark, Luke, and John! While his summaries were on the money, this felt like he had to truncate his material to meet page limits. And his material on Revelation, one of the bookends, also included what seemed to be a conclusion of how then do we await a delayed kingdom, all in ten pages.

That said, he helpfully sketches the coming of the king and the particular aspects each gospel writer develops. He traces the kingdom expansion from Israel to the ends of the earth. and the glory of the new Jerusalem and the trees (plural) of life for the healing of the nations.

Overall, this is a valuable work, tracing the theme of God’s rule through scripture. Particularly, showing how the Old Testament develops this theme is valuable. This is so because, for many, the Old Testament is undiscovered territory. I could see this book encouraging people to read the Old Testament. And attending to the reality of God’s reign is great encouragement in our troubled times!

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

The Weekly Wrap: September 8-14

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On Book Award Lists

It’s the time of the year when various book prize lists are announced. Of course, authors, publishers, and booksellers pay attention. But my sense is that the majority of avid readers do not. I’ve been thinking why that is and of what significance that is.

One reason may be that most of us don’t even hear of these books until awards are announced, if that. If you are not in the circle of elite critics or booksellers and librarians, you don’t hear of them ahead of time. And aside from bestsellers that generate a lot of buzz among readers, like Perceval Everett’s James this year, many may never hear of them.

Another reason may be that readers may not read in the “niche” of the awards, generally headier literary fiction or nonfiction. Only if the award is in that niche, say the Agatha awards for mysteries or the Hugos for science fiction, may you recognize some of the books.

But I also think there is a gap between the world of literary critics and the reading public in terms of what makes a great book. This was underscored earlier this year when the New York Times published its list of the top 100 books of the current century (so far). I only read 17 of them. But to their credit, they let readers vote and many of the books I thought should be there were in the readers picks.

There’s a stereotype that writers on these lists are products of MFA programs writing for MFAs while the more popular writers write for readers–they understand that readers want something that holds their interest, makes them turn the page, has compelling characters and tells a compelling story. At the same time, there are those writers of imagination and originality who manage to communicate something of their vision on the page and aren’t paying attention to anything else, and the critics may be the ones to bring them to our awareness.

How do you bridge the gap? I’m not sure but I wonder if book bloggers and BookTokkers can help. They sometimes have a wider reach than the critics. It seems that intermediaries between the world of book awards and the world of readers are needed. I suspect there are great books few will hear of otherwise.

Five Articles Worth Reading

What sparked my thoughts was the release of the National Book Awards longlist this week. Publishers Weekly posted an article with all the books in each category. There are a few I will be looking for on my next trip to the bookstore.

Alexander Manshel, writing for The Nation has noticed a trend away from contemporary to historical fiction in the books making the fiction lists for such awards. He writes about it in “How Historical Fiction Redefined the Literary Canon.”

Robert Caro is familiar to many of us for his multi-volume biography of Lyndon Johnson, still in process. But before that project, he wrote a massive biography of Robert Moses, a never-elected New York bureaucrat who shaped the city in ways that affect it to this day. The Powerbroker was published 50 years ago, in 1974. Caro sat down for a podcast interview with the New York Times for a retrospective on that book and his writing life. Listen to it here.

Anna Johnston observes the relative dearth of aging characters in fiction. She explores how to write such characters in “Why We Need More (and Better) Depictions of Old People in Literature.”

You may have proclaimed that the book is better than the movie. Or maybe you’ve said reading is watching a movie in your mind. Danika Ellis contends in “Books Aren’t Mental Movies: You’re Missing the Best Part of Reading” that books are about far more than visual imagery. They are about the use of language.

Quote of the Week

I have one thing in common with the poet Mary Oliver. I lived for nine years in the city of her birth, Maple Heights, Ohio. She was born there September 10, 1935. I found this quote by her that is axiomatic for life.

“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.”

Miscellaneous Musings

One cue for me to explore a new writer is when their name continues to be mentioned by other writers. The latest, for me is Teilhard de Chardin. a French Jesuit priest, scientist, theologian, and philosopher. I found a couple of his books that I hope to read soon.

I’ve been reading about constitutionalism. I’ve realized afresh how important upholding constitutions are to just government. In particular, there are laws to which our leaders must be subject or things can go badly awry.

Finally, a pet peeve. I like writing about books. I love telling people about books worth reading. I’m grateful when publishers provide copies of books to review. And some publicists are great and are real partners in the enterprise. What I don’t like is when I reach out, in some cases repeatedly, requesting review copies. And I hear nothing. I don’t understand why they provide emails or contact forms and don’t respond. It’s just rude, especially when you want to help connect their book with your audience. End of rant!

Well, that’s The Weekly Wrap for this week!

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

Review: The Printer and Preacher

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Cover image of "The Printer and the Preacher" by Randy Petersen.

The Printer and the Preacher, Randy Petersen. Thomas Nelson (ISBN: 9780718022211) 2015.

Summary: Recounts the story of the unlikely friendship of George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin.

The printer and the preacher. They were the most unlikely friends. One was an Oxford educated Englishman, thoroughly convinced of the gospel of Christ which he preached, and a man of utter rectitude in his marriage and dealings. The other was a Boston-born grammar school dropout, a deist who expounded a gospel of self help, an industrious printer and civic leader in Philadelphia, and not above sexual flirtation and affairs. George Whitefield and Benjamin Franklin.

Randy Peterson offers a fascinating account of how these disparate figures became friends, a relationship that lasted until 1770 when Whitefield, the younger man, died. Petersen also sketches the lives and impact of these two important figures in early American history. It all began in 1739 when Whitefield established a business relationship with Franklin as the printer of his sermons. This was a huge success for both men, multiplying Whitefield’s influence, already widespread, and profiting Franklin’s printing business. Franklin used his newspaper to report Whitefield’s preaching engagements (as well as his critics).

Over the years, the two became friends, with Whitefield a regular guest in Franklin’s home whenever passing through Philadelphia. Naturally, Whitefield, the evangelist, tried to convert Franklin, who believed in God, but did not believe Jesus to be God but merely a good teacher. But why did Franklin not only tolerate these efforts but regard Whitefield so highly. Among the reasons, was Whitefield’s eloquence and powerful preaching and its impact. This was because Franklin cared deeply about the civic growth of Philadelphia and the colonies, and the transformed lives of converts contributed to the improvement of morals and the advance of the common good. Not only that, Franklin admired Whitefield’s work in founding and supporting an orphanage in Georgia. And he showed concern for Whitefield’s health, weakened by his tireless preaching.

Petersen argues in this book that not only was their friendship mutually beneficial, it was important to America’s beginnings. Printing was the basis of Franklin’s influence, prospered early on by Whitefield’s sermons. Through printing, Franklin established a communications network, connecting the colonies. Whitefield’s preaching throughout the colonies, amplified by Franklin’s efforts, connected the colonies spiritually. In addition, Whitefield operated outside hierarchies and across denominations, a kind of revolution of the spirit that preceded political revolution.

And there is one more important consequence of their friendship identified by Petersen. They modeled religious freedom in their friendship. Franklin deeply respected and advanced Whitefield’s efforts, while never embracing Whitefield’s faith. And Whitefield remained a fast friend of Franklin, respecting his life and benefiting from his civic vision.

Petersen doesn’t offer the definitive biography of either man but probes deeply into this important friendship. And in this, he probes the wonderful opportunity of what can happen when differing parties keep talking and listening in mutual respect, recognizing common interests and respecting differences without requiring compromise. Might they serve as a model for our own day?

Review: Metaphysics of Exo-Life

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Cover image of "Metaphysics of Exo-Life" by Andrew M. Davis

Metaphysics of Exo-Life, Andrew M. Davis. SacraSage (ISBN: 9781958670040) 2023.

Summary: Metaphysics of Exo-Life constructively engages the naturalistic cosmotheology of Steven J. Dick using A.N. Whitehead’s process metaphysics.

The universe is much bigger than we once thought it. The Hubble and Webb telescopes reveal that our Milky Way, as vast as it is, is but one of millions of galaxies. The observation of habitable planets orbiting stars in our own galaxy leads to the extrapolation that there could be billions of such planets in the universe where living organisms may have evolved, including beings with intelligence equivalent to or greater than our own. That raises interesting questions for any of us who are theologically minded: questions about God, about creatures of other worlds and whether parallels exist to our own understanding of creation, fall, and redemption, and how God manifests God’s self in these numerous worlds.

Cosmotheology is the branch of theology considering such metaphysical questions with regard to exo-life, or life on other worlds. Appropriately, one of the pioneers of this area of thought is NASA historian Steven J. Dick, who has formulated a “naturalistic cosmotheology” centered on evolutionary becoming. He has even observed the ways this resonates with the process theology of A.N. Whitehead, the father of process thought. Dick denies the existence of God in a traditional sense while allowing for the possibility of the evolution of “superintelligences.”

In this book, Andrew M. Davis argues that the “resonances” with A.N. Whitehead’s process theology may be developed in a way that deepens and extends, rather than denies Dick’s thought. He does this by engaging six principles of cosmotheology formulated by Dick. He shows that Whitehead’s thought may be formulated into an inverse statement that deepens and extends Dick’s thought. It also resolves some unanswered questions.

Dick’s six statements are:

  1. Humanity is not physically central to the universe.
  2. Humanity is not central biologically, mentally, or morally in the universe.
  3. Humanity is not at the top of the great chain of being in the universe.
  4. Cosmotheology must be open to radically new and non-supernatural conceptions of God…a God grounded in cosmic evolution.
  5. Cosmotheology must have a moral dimension, extending to embrace all species in the universe–a reverence and respect for life in any form.
  6. Cosmotheology must embrace the idea that human destiny should be linked to natural cosmic events, not to the divine.

Summing up, Dick enunciates an imaginative cosmotheology, or rather, a cosmophilosophy that does not premise the existence of God. Rather, he roots his proposal on evolutionary processes on a cosmic scale. By comparison, Davis affirms much in Dick’s work with regard to evolutionary processes on a cosmic scale and the absence of a God apart from these processes. But where he differs from Dick is in incorporating God into those processes through the process thought of Whitehead. He does this through devoting a chapter to each of Dick’s principles and develops a Whiteheadian inverse principle for each of Dick’s principles. These are:

  1. Humanity exemplifies metaphysical principles that are utterly central to the universe.
  2. Humanity exemplifies biological, mental, and moral antecedents that are metaphysically central to the universe.
  3. Humanity exemplifies the same metaphysical principles that are expressed in various intensities throughout the great chain of being in the universe.
  4. Cosmotheology must be open to truly radical and non-supernatural conceptions of God, a God grounding and exemplifying the metaphysical conditions of cosmic evolution.
  5. Cosmotheology must provide the ontological basis and stimulus for ideals of moral reverence and respect in the nature of things.
  6. Cosmotheology must embrace human destiny as inextricably linked to the destiny of the cosmos as an infinite evolutionary expression of the metaphysical conditions chiefly exemplified in the divine.

Thus, Davis shows how a God inextricably engaged in cosmic evolution, while not privileging human experience, is able to connect that with the existence and experience of other beings. By adopting Whitehead’s process thought, he avoids a supernatural God external to the processes. Rather God is developing apace with the cosmos.

While I do not hold to process theology (I do believe in an eternal, self-sufficient, super-natural God over the cosmos) I appreciate the engagement between and mutual respect of these scholars. Indeed, they have cleared substantial ground in this pioneering area of theology. Specifically, they take planetary and species imperialism off the table. Likewise they engage creatively the questions of God’s engagement in evolutionary processes and questions of morality on a cosmic scale. I’d like to see traditional theists constructively engage this conversation.

In addition, Davis includes two helpful reference articles in the appendix to this book. One is a literature survey of the work of process theologians with regard to extraterrestrial life. The second reprints a foundational article by Lewis S. Ford, “Theological Reflections on Extraterrestrial Life” from 1968. This is a mind-stretching work, but one valuable for conversations between cosmologists and theologians and for anyone interested in thinking deeply about our place in the universe.

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

Review: Cultures of Growth

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Cover image for "Cultures of Growth" by Mary C. Murphy

Cultures of Growth, Mary C. Murphy. Simon & Schuster (ISBN: 9781982172749) 2024.

Summary: Cultures of Growth applies the science of mindset, distinguishing fixed and growth mindsets, to the culture of organizations.

Carol Dweck introduced the science of mindset. She posited that individuals function out of one of two mindsets. Either we are functioning out of a fixed mindset or out of a growth mindset. The fixed mindset sees talent and intelligence as fixed or predetermined. That is, you’ve got them or you don’t. The growth mindset emphasizes our capacity to to learn and develop our intelligence and talents.

Mary C. Murphy, one of Carol’s students wondered if this could apply to organizational cultures as well. In other words, what’s happening outside a person may be just as important as what’s happening between their ears. In organizations, the contrast is between cultures of genius, where the object is to recruit geniuses or to try to look like geniuses, versus cultures of growth, offering opportunities of growth for motivated and hard working individuals. One culture tends to be competitive, the other, collaborative.

Murphy has worked with a number of organizations, including Microsoft, in shifting organizational mindsets from cultures of genius to culture of growth. She begins by looking at five factors that signal which kind of organizational culture prevails. First, collaboration measures how well people work together rather than competitively. Second, innovation, looks at whether companies encourage employees to think big versus being cautious and narrow in focus. Third, risk-taking and resilience considers whether employees can take moonshots and are offered chances to learn from failure or whether the fear of failure constrains their efforts. Fourth, integrity and ethical behavior looks at whether employees are encouraged, no matter what, to do the right thing. Or does succeeding require cutting corners? Finally, diversity, equity, and inclusion measures how well organizations recruit and support a broad spectrum of talent.

Murphy then turns to mindset triggers, the situations that can shift people into fixed or growth mindsets. The first of these is evaluative situations, where we either feel we must defend our performance or can learn and develop from it. Next are the high effort situations, where a new product must roll out on tight deadlines. Fixed mindsets shy from such situations, fearing failure, while growth oriented organizations stress the opportunities for advance. A third trigger is how critical feedback is implemented and received. Are people shunted aside when falling short or offered chances to grow and improve? Finally, how do we handle the success of others? In growth cultures this triggers inspiration rather than despair.

What makes this book is the combination of clear explanations and illustrative examples from a variety of business sectors. I’d love to see Murphy apply this to the non-profit sector, particularly religious non-profits. I also wonder how organizational growth affects mindset. Start-ups seem highly growth and learning oriented. I’ve also watched organizations grow more fixed and compliance-oriented as they grow. Yet Murphy has worked with large organizations. It would be interesting to learn more about how they made the transition to growth mindsets, or preserved them.

Organizational culture is such an important part of worker satisfaction. Murphy’s work helpfully addresses a key aspect. It just stands to reason that people want opportunities to grow and give their best when these exist. This is a valuable resource for anyone who leads a work team or larger units within an organization.

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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from the publisher via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers Program.

Review: Chasing Sacred

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Cover image of "Chasing Sacred" by Mikella Van Dyke

Chasing Sacred, Mikella Van Dyke Tyndale Momentum (ISBN: 9781496480712) 2024.

Summary: Using inductive Bible study methods to encounter God and find hope in Him.

Mikella Van Dyke grew up as a missionary kid in Thailand, and so reading the Bible and applying it to her life came early. In college, that habit deepened, and then, after a brief career in dance, she began leading women in Bible study. However, she realized that she needed more than good habits of Bible reading. So she went to Regent College. In a class on hermeneutics, on how to interpret scripture, the scriptures opened up to her in a whole new way. Specifically, she learned the method of inductive Bible study, in which one moves from careful observation of the text, through interpretation that asks what does it mean to application. Since that time, she founded Chasing Sacred a ministry that “exists to equip women and local churches with sound doctrine and practical tools for their walk with God” through inductive Bible study.

I resonate with her story. Accepting Christ at a Vacation Bible School at a young age and getting serious about following Jesus through the Jesus movement, I went to a lot of Bible studies and read scripture regularly on my own. But in college, I went to an InterVarsity conference where I learned inductive Bible study, and it opened up the scriptures to me in a whole new way. I went on to work on InterVarsity staff and taught generations of students and many others what I had learned and saw the power of God to change lives through the scriptures. And so I was eager to hear how another teacher trained in similar methods teaches these to others.

Van Dyke begins by answering why we study scripture, or in her terms “chase sacred.” Very simply, the scriptures, opened up through careful study show us Someone worth chasing. There’s both duty and delight in chasing sacred. First, there is the duty of careful and regular study. And then there is the delight of learning how to live well with the one we are chasing. But sometimes we get lost in the detail and miss the big story. We miss the narrative arc of creation, fall redemption, and restoration holding the whole together. And sometimes, teachers stray from the big story. She offers help in recognizing false teaching.

Before getting down to the “how to’s” of inductive Bible study, she addresses two other foundational elements. One is the work of the Holy Spirit in illuminating the scripture he inspired. The other is the role of prayer in acknowledging our dependence on God’s help and opening ourselves to his transforming work.

The third part of the book is devoted to the how-tos of inductive study, beginning with our choice of Bible. She explains the different translation philosophies but does not opt for a particular translation. Instead, she rejoices in the abundance of good English translations. Then she turns to observing. The basic question is, “what do I see.” This includes context and background, key words, atmosphere, and asking the who, what, where, when, why, and how questions. She then spends a whole chapter on the different types of context: literary, historical, and cultural, while staying Christ-centered. Genre also is important enough to merit a chapter as she describes how we read different genres. More briefly, she discusses interpretation, which asks the meaning of what we’ve observed, and application, how we will act on that meaning. The end of the book includes a collection of Bible study resources.

The most compelling aspect of this book is Van Dyke’s sheer enthusiasm for scripture, evident in every chapter. Her explanations are clear and she distills a lot of hermeneutic wisdom into a concise and understandable format. While she offers numerous examples in her explanations, it seems this book is best used with its companion, Chasing Sacred Bible Study. In this she walks people through five weeks of inductive study of Colossians and Philemon.

I was curious about the covers of both books. Each show typed copies of biblical text marked up with different colors. I know this as manuscript Bible study, a particular form of inductive study. I kept expecting her to mention this but did not find any reference in the text.

However, I was so thrilled to read this and learn of Van Dyke’s ministry. A great obstacle to biblical literacy is helping people understand what they are reading and rightly interpret this ancient text. Some trust to impressive teachers, so frustrated are they in their own efforts, And sometimes those teachers mislead them. The tools here both help people spot deception and discover the joy of “chasing sacred.”

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

Review: Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World

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Cover image of Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World" by Albert M. Erisman and Randy Pope

Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World, Albert M. Erisman and Randy Pope. Hendrickson Publishers (ISBN: 9781496487155) 2024.

Summary: How twelve people in the Bible seek the world’s good and cooperate with God’s redemptive purposes.

Despite great freedoms to worship and to practice one’s faith in the United States, many Christians adopt a defensive posture as embattled. They join the larger, contentious public discourse, framed in terms of “us versus them.” In Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World, a retired Boeing executive from the Seattle area and a city attorney from southern Mississippi join together to propose a better way. They note five ways many Christians have responded: resignation and assimilation, withdrawal and retrenchment, fear, seeking power, and anger. However, the believe God’s people through history have practiced another and better way through seeking the world’s good and cooperate with God’s redemptive purposes. To underscore this thesis, they consider twelve “case studies” of people in the Bible who do this.

We meet Abraham, who offers his nephew Lot a choice of land, choosing relational peace over self-interest. Later, he acts with financial integrity in the purchase of a burial ground for Sarah. Throughout it all, Abraham trusts God, “for a purpose: to be blessed and to bless”. Or consider Joseph, sold into Egyptian slavery and then wrongly accused and imprisoned. He recognizes the hand of God in his life and how God meant this for the good of Egypt, the nations, and his own family. Then there is the story of Ruth, a foreigner who availed herself through hard work of the economic provision of gleaning that God provided for those on the margins. Boaz, the landowner, complements her efforts by affording her protection and provision beyond the law’s requirements. Consequently, the faithfulness of both provides for the widow Naomi and results in kingly line extending from David to Jesus.

In addition to these, the authors profile nine others: Moses, Joshua, David, Esther, Job, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and Jesus. For example, they observe the courage and respect in which Esther approaches the king, respecting the king’s authority and initiative. They note the qualities of Paul as a bridgebuilder between Jews and Gentiles. Finally, their study of Jesus contrasts his life with the five ways Christians have negatively responded to the culture.

Throughout, Erisman and Pope weave in stories from their own professional lives and of others in the workplace. These illustrate the qualities of the Biblical figures they profile. Illustrating the integrity of Job, they tell the story of Steve Bell, CEO of Bellmont Cabinets. When starting out, he secured a $100,000 contract to build cabinetry for a dentist opening a string of clinics. Subsequently, the dentist was arrested for drug smuggling and money laundering. Bell was advised to file for bankruptcy to protect his assets. Instead, he went to each of his creditors and worked out a plan to repay them with interest what he owed. It took him seven years to pay them all off but today he employs over 300 and works with many of the vendors he formerly owed money.

The authors conclude the book describing how they handled disagreements that arose in the writing of the book. They write of strong disagreements on content at several points and the importance of the trust relationship between them. Thus, they determined not to allow disagreements to derail them from the purpose of the book nor the trust they’d built. And they found their disagreements sharpened their argument and refined the material in the book. An unusual confession from co-authors but illustrative of the thesis of the book.

The book begins with a marvelous Malcolm Guite poem, “A Tale of Two Gardens,” tracing the redemptive arc of God from Eden to the empty tomb. The twelve profiles lend themselves well to an Adult Education program over a quarter. In addition, the workplace illustrations make this ideal for use in a workplace luncheon group. Helpfully and hopefully, Erisman and Pope move the conversation from embattlement to constructive engagement. If you are tired of being trapped in polarized conversations, this book offers another way.

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

The Weekly Wrap: September 1-7

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Image for The Weekly Wrap: person wrapping a book
Photo by cottonbro studio on Pexels.com

On the Lending of Books

This week, on social media, I asked people about their practice and experience of lending books. I was surprised by the range of responses. On one hand, some just felt that books were for sharing, that our greatest tribute to a book is to share it with others. Many of these lend with an open hand, not expecting to see their book again. Others who had good experiences had friends who returned borrowed books.

But then there were the bad experiences. Many of these seemed associated with lending a cherished book that was never returned. In general, bad experiences involve people failing to return books. For this reason, some no longer lend.

It seems that one principle might be to not lend a book, the loss of which will make you resent the person who borrowed the book. Now if all your books are precious, that could be a problem! One person I know would only continue to lend books to a person if that person returned previously borrowed books. For me, I get so many books that I’m happy to lend or give them away. The only exceptions are reference book and a handful of books that are important because of content, memories, or because they were a gift representing an important friendship (and such books are often personally inscribed).

How do you deal with lending books?

Five Articles Worth Reading

Did you page through volumes of an encyclopedia as a child? I did. Most of these are now digital but Daniel M. Rothschild writes of the value of physical volumes “In Praise of Reference Books.” He believes the unpretentious reference book deserves a place in literature alongside fiction and non-fiction.

Speaking of encyclopedias, Joseph Epstein writes of his experience editing the Encyclopedia Britannica and his and the most famous figure associated with it in his era, Mortimer Adler. The article is “The Love Song of Mortimer J. Adler” who Epstein characterizes as “high on the past century’s list of savant idiots, or intellectually dazzling figures who get all important things wrong.”

Anyone who writes or edits the writing of others is aware of the importance of syntax. In “I Sing the Electric Body,” Brian Patrick Eha explores how the art of arranging words and phrases can result in muddle or clarity. Then he offers examples of brilliant and questionable syntax in literature.

The Joanine Library in Portugal is one of the most gorgeous libraries of the world, housing many old and rare volumes. Controlling moths and beetles that feast on bindings is a major challenge. Atlas Obscura features their natural form of pest control in “In This Beautiful Library, Bats Guard the Books.”

Finally, We go from bats to bookworms in “The Not-So-Nice Origins of ‘Bookworm.’ ” It turns out that the term was once far more derogatory than it is today. At least now, bookworms are sometimes celebrated, especially among fellow bibliophiles.

Quote of the Week

Novelist Frank Yerby was born September 5, 1916. He made this telling observation:

“Maturity is reached the day we don’t need to be lied to about anything.”

So, am I mature yet?

Miscellaneous Musings

Here’s a reviewer’s dilemma. I recently posted a book review of an author I’d reviewed before and respected for what he wrote. Only after I posted did I discover credible reports of a pattern of improprieties that led to his firing from his most recent academic post. So what does one do? Pull the review? Hope no one knows about it? Leave the post up and append a note acknowledging the information that had subsequently come to my attention? I chose the latter course since the post was out there. But that’s likely the last review I’ll post of that author.

Just finished a book exploring the theology of life on other planets. Given the number of habitable planets in the universe, what does this mean for our belief in God, and for Christians, belief in the saving work of Christ? How far does this extend? And if we believe in some form of natural law, does that hold for other planets?

I wrote a review of the bookseller Thriftbooks several years ago and it has been the gift that keeps giving. Not only does it continue to garner views, but because of a recommendation link in the post, I got several free books on my account just this week! Sweet!

Well, that’s The Weekly Wrap for this week!

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

Review: The Heretic’s Apprentice

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Cover image of "The Heretics Apprentice" by Ellis Peters

The Heretic’s Apprentice (Brother Cadfael, 16), Ellis Peters. Mysterious Press/Open Road (ASIN: B00LUZNZ42), 2014 (First published in 1989).

Summary: The Heretic’s Apprentice is charged with heresy for defending his deceased master’s theological views and held for murder of his accuser.

It has been seven years since William of Lythwood left Shrewsbury on pilgrimage. Then one day, the apprentice who accompanied him returns home with William’s remains. His servant, Elave, has two tasks to fulfill. First, he must transport William’s body to the abbey for burial in its cemetery, since William had patronized the abbey. Questions arose about his beliefs, rumored heterodox. But he had taken communion throughout his journey, and when dying, was shriven of his sins. And he had supported the abbey, and so they honor his wishes.

The other task was to deliver an intricately carved box to William’s foster daughter, containing her dowry. The contents were locked and left so until William’s return, although stowed away in the presence of William’s household. In foster daughter Fortunata’s eyes, Elave is another gift. She had always looked up to him and her love had blossomed into something else. And Elave discovered that the skinny girl had blossomed into a beautiful woman!

One of the household members was Aldwin, the clerk who had taken Elave’s place. Elave’s return has him fearing for his job, even though Elave had assured the lady of the house that he would find employment elsewhere. Aldwin, sadly had not heard this. He also tries to sneak a peak at the contents of the box. Jevan, Girard’s younger brother, who runs the vellum end of the family’s business, interrupts him before he glimpses its contents.

Aldwin conspires with Conan, Girard’s chief shepherd, to trip up Elave. Hearing rumors of William’s heterodox ideas, they question Elave about them. Elave not only defends them but owns them. The next day, he finds himself facing a heresy charge before Abbot Radulfus. Were it up to Radulfus alone, he’d probably have dismissed this as youthful questioning by an intelligent young man, but an Augustinian canon is visiting and joins in hearing the charges, which include questioning the teaching of Augustine. This sounds like heresy. They hold him for trial before the bishop. But he has the liberty of the abbey, and as he thought, to come and go as long as he returned each evening.

Conan and Fortunata were witnesses to the conversation and called to testify, and Fortunata is beside herself and sees through Aldwin’;s plot. When this comes to Lady Lythwood’s ears, she sets Aldwin straight, that Elave had no interest in Aldwin’s job. And Aldwin is mortified, and wants to set things right. Conan tries to dissuade him in a long conversation at a pub, before returning to his flocks. But Aldwin never speaks to the Abbot. Nor does he return home. Instead, Cadfael finds his body in the river. Someone stabbed Aldwin in the back.

This spells more trouble for Elave, who happened to have gone to visit Fortunata, to assure her he held no ill will toward her for her testimony at about the time Alwin pursued his errand. The canon’s assistants rudely arrest him on return to the abbey and all suspicion turns on him though he swears innocence. Neither Cadfael nor Hugh Beringer, the sheriff are so quick. He’s in custody, improving his understanding under the tutelage of Brother Anselm. And it will be some days before the Bishop arrives.

Cadfael and Beringer pursue several questions. What were the original contents of the carved box? Where had Anselm been killed? And where did he go after leaving the pub? Did anyone else have motive and opportunity to kill Aldwin?

It does seem that Peters has used a similar plotline in several stories in the series. A young man accused who falls in love with a young woman. Even so, the plot is twisty enough to make one wonder. What is more interesting is the contrast between the canon and the abbot. One is a zealot for orthodoxy, having seen the consequences of false teaching in France and wanting to save the church in England from a similar fate. The other is the wise shepherd, who understands that faith doesn’t preclude questioning, and that Elave’s ideas were ones held at times by others, some even by a younger Augustine. Will Elave be found innocent of both murder and heresy?

Review: Disarming Leviathan

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Cover image for "Disarming Leviathan" by Caleb E. Campbell

Disarming Leviathan Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, Caleb E. Campbell. InterVarsity Press (ISBN: 9781514008515) 2024.

Summary: Focuses on how we discerningly engage people who embrace Christian nationalism with grace and truth.

There is our political discourse. And then there are our relationships with family, neighbors, co-workers, and those who provide us goods and services. Maybe they are people who are part of our church community. For example, they say things that would identify them with Christian nationalism, the idea that America should be run by Christians and protect and promote Christian concerns over those of others (author’s definition). We may think that is off, both theologically and constitutionally. But why, and how do we engage with people we love who hold these views.

Caleb Campbell, as a pastor has struggled with this. He identified 300 people who were no longer friends because they parted ways on these things. This changed when a representative of TurningPointUSA told him that while politics was important, she just wanted to follow Jesus. Then he asked her how she had met Jesus. And she shared that it was at a TurningPoint USA rally. Then his whole paradigm shifted from seeing her as an “enemy” to to a mission field. She was a sister in Christ who had been discipled into a distorted version of Christianity.

In the pages that follow, Campbell first addresses understanding the mission field of Christian nationalism. He differentiates it from patriotism and conservativism and considers it under three I’s: Ideology, Idolatry, and Identity. He uses the image of leviathan, the sea creature symbolizing chaos and evil opposed to the peaceable, good rule of God. By contrast, leviathan works through distorting scripture, fostering anxiety and rage, creating an “us versus them” culture, demanding ultimate allegiance, and making false promises. Then he exposes how the leviathan of Christian nationalism harms us. His most memorable image, describing the syncretic tendencies of mixing nationalism and Christianity is to describe it as the “poop in the brownie mix.”

If we understand leviathan, how do we disarm it? How do we engage with our neighbors? The question is how we steal past watchful dragons and build trust. And how do we set tables instead of flip them? Campbell enumerates several steps: 1) Start with hospitality; 2) Lead with questions; 3) Connect on shared values; 4) Use shibboleths (passwords) and avoid red flags; 5) Honor the good; 6) Engage in humble subversion; and, 7) Offer open invitations to future conversations. Then he offers models of what conversations on various topics would look like, practicing these principles. I would have loved to also hear stories of those who had turned from Christian nationalism to authentic Christian faith through such conversations.

He concludes with hope–not in argument but in Jesus and his power. What is valuable in his approach is that he combines clear eyed discernment of what is wrong with Christian nationalism with love for people that looks for common ground, doesn’t insult their intelligence or motives, and lovingly engages with them, asking questions and exploring ideas rather than offering diatribes.

This is hard work. At times, the sections unpacking Christian nationalism seem harsh. But I would argue that this is necessary. What is wrong in false teaching and those who expound it as teachers must be met with firmness and clarity. Yet those misled by such teaching to stray from the truth of the gospel of king Jesus must be gently helped back onto the path of discipleship. Perhaps the example of the good shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine for the one lost sheep should capture the attention of all of us who care for such things.

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