My friend Steve has written a helpful book. He's an excellent story teller, and uses those gifts to made some important theology very readable. My friend Steve has written a helpful book. He's an excellent story teller, and uses those gifts to made some important theology very readable. ...more
I received this book as a giveaway at a conference I went to in 2006 or 2007. It's the best children's bible I've every seen. I wish all three of our I received this book as a giveaway at a conference I went to in 2006 or 2007. It's the best children's bible I've every seen. I wish all three of our daughters, instead of just our last, could have grown up with it. Highly recommend!...more
Well written book by an evangelical who is gay-his story, his journey, his exploration of the scripture. Should be read by any Christian. I don't agreWell written book by an evangelical who is gay-his story, his journey, his exploration of the scripture. Should be read by any Christian. I don't agree with everything, but I am better for having read the book. ...more
A perfect introduction to Wendell Berry, this includes all of his short stories, written over four decades and covering more than 150 years of the ficA perfect introduction to Wendell Berry, this includes all of his short stories, written over four decades and covering more than 150 years of the fictitious history of the small, fictional town of Port William in Kentucky. An embrace of the good life and simplicity and a constant critique of the modern world....more
Outstanding historical work on a fascinating man, one of the first "mega church pastors" in America. Author was a friend in high school, and she did aOutstanding historical work on a fascinating man, one of the first "mega church pastors" in America. Author was a friend in high school, and she did an amazing job on this pulitzer prize winning work.
I read this again in 2018, and my appreciation for this increased from its already high level. There are pieces I missed earlier in my life, and they I read this again in 2018, and my appreciation for this increased from its already high level. There are pieces I missed earlier in my life, and they scream at me after the last few years: the tension between fundamentalist religion and the pursuit of artistic truth; the need to express the deep suffering in the world, rather than gloss over by only expressing the good.
Brilliantly written and theologically articulate, this is too close to home for me as a pastor. This novel is written in the voice of an old pastor frBrilliantly written and theologically articulate, this is too close to home for me as a pastor. This novel is written in the voice of an old pastor from a line of pastors, as if it were letters he is writing to his young son. He’s writing because he is dying, and he won’t have the chance to live long enough to tell his son what a father should. He weaves brilliant observations on people and theology with his own journey toward forgiveness and grace. He has lived almost his entire life in the small town of Gilead, Iowa....more