Book Recommendation - Middle Church: Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the Religious Right

Posted By Marjorie Smink 7 months ago

Middle Church: Reclaiming the Moral Values of the Faithful Majority from the Religious Right by Bob Edgar© 2006 Bob Edgar, general secretary of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (the leading U.S. organization in the movement for Christian unity) is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church – and the author of this book. He has been a pastor, teacher, college chaplain, Claremont School of Theology president, and six-term member of the U.S. House of Representative from the Seventh District of Pennsylvania. Edgar contends that the radical religious right has placed the wrong issues (opposition to gay marriage, abortion, and stem-cell research) at the forefront of the moral agenda for America. The moral issues that are central to America’s faithful majority (Middle Church) are peace, poverty, and planet Earth. Middle Church is the place where people of faith – Christians, Jews, Muslims – can come together and replace tolerance, social justice, and love at the top of our country’s political agenda.

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Book Recommendation - What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?: A Guide to What Matters Most

Posted By Marjorie Smink one year ago

What’s the Least I Can Believe and Still Be a Christian?: A Guide to What Matters Mostby Martin Thielen© 2011Martin Thielen, a senior pastor at Lebanon First United Methodist Church in Lebanon, Tennessee, is widely recognized as a national worship and preaching consultant, seminary teacher, and author. In his latest book, Thielen tackles the title question with his best effort to provide a comprehensive answer. The book is divided into two parts, each focusing on distinct aspects of Christian beliefs.Part I of the book presents a list of ten things that Thielen believes Christians don't need to believe. These include notions such as "Everything in the Bible Should Be Taken Literally" and "Good Christians Don't Doubt." By debunking these commonly held misconceptions, Thielen aims to challenge rigid interpretations of scripture and encourage a more nuanced understanding of faith.Part II of the book offers a contrasting list of ten things that Thielen asserts Christians do need to believe. These essential beliefs revolve around the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. By emphasizing the importance of these core tenets, Thielen underscores their capacity to provide meaningful and hopeful answers to life's profound questions.It is worth noting that Thielen's book specifically addresses moderate Christianity, presenting a perspective that is accessible and easily comprehensible. The author aims to distance his message from the judgmental, strident, and narrow-minded version of Christianity associated with the religious right. In doing so, Thielen seeks to promote a more inclusive and compassionate understanding of the faith, encouraging readers to explore the depths of their beliefs and engage with Christianity in a thoughtful and open-minded manner.

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Book Recommendation - Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writings of Sue Monk Kidd

Posted By Marjorie Smink one year ago

Firstlight: The Early Inspirational Writingsby Sue Monk Kidd© 2006Sue Monk Kidd, a well-respected author of novels and spiritual memoirs, was asked by Guideposts to collect her early inspirational writings into one volume. The stories and essays in this book are the result of that request. They are gathered around thirteen spiritual motifs (Awareness, Compassion, Solitude…) and include reflections on the author’s many roles as mother, daughter, wife, nurse, author. These recollections include her childhood, her marriage, her year in Africa, and many other memories of ordinary moments which compile her spiritual journey. Firstlight became a bridge for the author to return to her early writings – a gift of reunion.

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Book Recommendation - I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness

Posted By Marjorie Smink one year ago

I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whitenessby Austin Channing Brown© 2018Austin Channing Brown is a speaker, writer and media producer giving inspired leadership on racial justice in our country. Her book provides an intimate view of her life - growing up Black, Christian, and female in White America. She shows how White America’s claim to embrace “diversity” often falls short of its mission. It is an eye-opening look at how white middle-class Evangelicalism has taken part in an era of rising racial hostility, and it invites the reader to confront apathy and identify God’s ongoing work in the world. Austin Brown still has hope for racial equality in American, but it is a shadow of hope.

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Book Recommendation - Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff...and It’s All Small Stuff

Posted By Marjorie Smink one year ago

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff...and It’s All Small Stuffby Richard Carlson© 1997Do little things in life drive you crazy? Author and consultant on stress and happiness, Richard Carlson, suggests ways to calm yourself in your hurried, stress-filled life. For instance, “Think of your problems as potential teachers.”; “Remember that when you die, your inbox will not be empty.”; “Try to live in the present moment.” With his gentle manner, Carlson shows ways to make your actions more peaceful and caring, thus helping make your life calmer and more stress-free.

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Book Recommendation - Jesus and His World

Posted By Marjorie Smink one year ago

Jesus and His Worldby Craig A. Evansc2012Craig Evans is an internationally distinguished authority on the historical Jesus. With this book he brings to light archeological discoveries about Jesus’ world to the layman in an easy-to-read manner. He enables the reader to understand and consider the latest theories about who Jesus was and for what he lived and died. What was the village of Nazareth really like in the time of Jesus? What do we know through archeology about the ruling priests who condemned Jesus to die? This book is a useful starting point for evaluating often ignored sources and their impact on our comprehension of the historical Jesus.

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Book Recommendation - The Language of Science and Faith

Posted By Marjorie Smink one year ago

The Language of Science and Faith by Karl W. Giberson and Francis S. Collinsc2011As Christians, do we have to choose between affirming that everything exists because of God or accepting the explanation of nature by science which does not include God in the picture? Giberson and Collins claim that we do not have to choose one or the other, for science does not discount the Bible, and faith does not reject science. Their dialogue explains how God cares for and interacts with his creation, while science offers a reliable way to understand the world God made. The authors clear up the erroneous conclusions of Christians and atheists about science and evolution by sharing the results of research in physics, geology, astronomy, and genetics. This book will become a classic for those who read it with an open mind and are willing to wrestle with questions about the relationship of modern science with the Christian faith.

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