ignore Wallis—even if he is repeating many a lesson that those familiar with his work will already have learned.
The evangelical activist and writer (and editor of Sojourners), who has long defined the Christian Left, offers
autobiographical snapshots and a call to action. Wallis believes that the US is about to witness the eruption of a new kind of activism—one motivated by "spiritual values" rather than anger. Like so many in our 12-step age, Wallis is explicitly how-to, providing 15 easy-to-digest steps to activism. Buried beneath the formulaic packaging, though, are some insightful nuggets. In Lesson 5 ("Recognize the Three Faces of Poverty"), Wallis, long known for his work on behalf of the poor, urges readers to consider how material, spiritual, and civic poverty—not just the widening gap between rich and poor but also the decline in voting and the degeneration of political debate—are ruining the public life of the nation. In Lesson 6, he reminds would-be activists to "Listen to Those Closest to the Problem"—the poor themselves. In Lesson 7 ("Get to the Heart of the Matter"), Wallis takes on welfare reform, the market economy, and racism. Throughout, he reminds readers of just how much potential religion has to bring about social and political change—although this discussion is not helped by tired calls for increased ecumenism and horizontal (instead of, you guessed it, vertical) leadership. Wallis ends on an optimistic note: The transformation from disenchanted politics to spiritually infused politics (and the transformation from indifferent churches to churches committed to economic and social justice) is, in his view, well under way. Nothing particularly fresh, but with so few voices expressing similar commitments to ending poverty, we can’t afford to
ignore Wallis—even if he is repeating many a lesson that those familiar with his work will already have learned.Pub Date: March 1, 2000
ISBN: 0-375-50176-2
Page Count: 304
Publisher: Random House
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 2000
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.
A compendium of charts, time lines, lists and illustrations to accompany study of the Bible.
This visually appealing resource provides a wide array of illustrative and textually concise references, beginning with three sets of charts covering the Bible as a whole, the Old Testament and the New Testament. These charts cover such topics as biblical weights and measures, feasts and holidays and the 12 disciples. Most of the charts use a variety of illustrative techniques to convey lessons and provide visual interest. A worthwhile example is “How We Got the Bible,” which provides a time line of translation history, comparisons of canons among faiths and portraits of important figures in biblical translation, such as Jerome and John Wycliffe. The book then presents a section of maps, followed by diagrams to conceptualize such structures as Noah’s Ark and Solomon’s Temple. Finally, a section on Christianity, cults and other religions describes key aspects of history and doctrine for certain Christian sects and other faith traditions. Overall, the authors take a traditionalist, conservative approach. For instance, they list Moses as the author of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible) without making mention of claims to the contrary. When comparing various Christian sects and world religions, the emphasis is on doctrine and orthodox theology. Some chapters, however, may not completely align with the needs of Catholic and Orthodox churches. But the authors’ leanings are muted enough and do not detract from the work’s usefulness. As a resource, it’s well organized, inviting and visually stimulating. Even the most seasoned reader will learn something while browsing.
Worthwhile reference stuffed with facts and illustrations.Pub Date: Sept. 1, 2005
ISBN: 978-1-5963-6022-8
Page Count: -
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 23, 2010
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
This a book of earlier, philosophical essays concerned with the essential "absurdity" of life and the concept that- to overcome the strong tendency to suicide in every thoughtful man-one must accept life on its own terms with its values of revolt, liberty and passion. A dreary thesis- derived from and distorting the beliefs of the founders of existentialism, Jaspers, Heldegger and Kierkegaard, etc., the point of view seems peculiarly outmoded. It is based on the experience of war and the resistance, liberally laced with Andre Gide's excessive intellectualism. The younger existentialists such as Sartre and Camus, with their gift for the terse novel or intense drama, seem to have omitted from their philosophy all the deep religiosity which permeates the work of the great existentialist thinkers. This contributes to a basic lack of vitality in themselves, in these essays, and ten years after the war Camus seems unaware that the life force has healed old wounds... Largely for avant garde aesthetes and his special coterie.
Pub Date: Sept. 26, 1955
ISBN: 0679733736
Page Count: 228
Publisher: Knopf
Review Posted Online: Sept. 19, 2011
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1955
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