Book Reviews

Anxious Souls Will Ask: The Christ Centered Spirituality of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by John Matthews

by

Takeaway: Attempts to present a pastoral understanding of Bonhoeffer to the lay person.  Not sure it accomplishes it.  And the audio was off putting.  So read, don’t listen. Bonhoeffer is a hero to many, but few people actually read much more than Life Together or Cost of Discipleship.  Bonhoeffer is not always easy to read. … Read more

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch – Part 6 (Theology and Understanding of God)

by

Takeaway: The way we support our thinkers and ‘do theology’ makes a big difference to the way that theology is done. Purchase Links: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook (If purchasing, you want to think about paperback or audiobook.  Kindle is the most expensive option at $29.99) Around 1000 there was a rise in a … Read more

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch – Part 5 (Crusades and Monasteries)

by

Takeaway: Unintended consequences are myriad. Purchase Links: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook (If purchasing, you want to think about paperback or audiobook.  Kindle is the most expensive option at $29.99) I am probably taking more time talking about this book than most people really want.  (And frankly, I often do not read multi-part posts of … Read more

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch – Part 4 (Augustine and rise of Western Thought)

by

Takeaway: All theology is really a responsive theology to the conditions around us. Purchase Links: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook (If purchasing, you want to think about paperback or audiobook.  Kindle is the most expensive option at $29.99) The next section of this book switches back to the rise of the western church as … Read more

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch – Part 3

by

Takeaway: Eastern Christianity is much more complicated than what is usually understood as an Evangelical Protestant.  I need more about this period to really understand what is going on. Purchase Links: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook (If purchasing, you want to think about paperback or audiobook.  Kindle is the most expensive option at $29.99) … Read more

Christianity: The First Three Thousand Years by Diarmaid MacCulloch – Part 2

by

Takeaway: Christians that want to return to the Christianity of the early church probably do not know much about church history. Purchase Links: Hardback, Paperback, Kindle Edition, Audible.com Audiobook (If purchasing, you want to think about paperback or audiobook.  Kindle is the most expensive option at $29.99) I am now through the early church history. … Read more

Imaginary Jesus by Matt Mikalatos

by

Imaginary JesusTakeaway:  Imaginary Jesus is a fun romp through some real spiritual issues that could not be done another way with quite the same effect.

I think I received Imaginary Jesus in a Catalyst mailing.  But I am not sure.  Someone might have given it to me.  Regardless I have had it for at least three or four months.  I had a plane ride and I wanted something a light.  So I figured I would pick this one up.  I had no idea I would enjoy it so much.

The basic story line is that Matt Mikalatos (yes the author made himself a character in a fiction book, no it is not supposed to be autobiographical) is having coffee with his friend Jesus when Peter walks past.  Peter sees Matt’s bible and heads over.  When Jesus sees Peter, Jesus takes off running down the street, Peter takes off after him.  Peter explains to Matt that the Jesus sitting with Matt was not the real Jesus, but an Imaginary Jesus.  This starts Matt down the road to find the real Jesus.  He has to find and realize why each of his Imaginary Jesuses are not real before he can find the real one.

Read more