A thought-provoking rethinking of Christianity.
A prominent progressive Christian calls for a renewal and reconceptualization of the faith in this anthology.
“Have you ever felt your faith could use a refresh?” asks editor St Reynolds in his introduction, emphasizing the legacy of author Lewis’ “transformative perspective on Christian thought.” A former surgeon who’s done postgraduate work in Biblical studies, Lewis has spent years as a globally recognized voice of progressive Christianity. From page one, which includes statements on queer sexuality and environmental sustainability, readers are offered a perspective that is profoundly Christian yet stands in stark contrast to the proliferation of conservative voices in the genre. The author is ecumenical in his approach as he explores a core message of Christianity: “I must try to love like Jesus.” This is not to say the book offers a milquetoast brand of Christianity void of theological arguments—Lewis challenges fundamentalist interpretations of the Bible and questions orthodox assumptions about the nature of Jesus. Lewis’ boldest assertion, perhaps, is the “reasonable” assumption that Jesus was gay. Though this claim (based on Jesus’s unmarried status as a rabbi and his personal demeanor) may not be entirely convincing, it does make for a fruitful thought experiment, reframing Jesus as a “young man who is gay, looks different and feels different, yet is steeped in the Jewish culture of his time.” The author’s probing analysis is accompanied by a robust bibliography, but the text is written in an accessible style that includes pop-culture references (like Star Trek) and full-color images. While numbering fewer than 70 total pages (most of the essays are under five pages long), this is not a book designed to be read in a single sitting; it’s to be meditated upon as readers examine assumptions often left unquestioned. Curated under the watchful editorial eye of St Reynolds, himself a leading voice in progressive Christian scholarship, this anthology is a well-crafted introduction to a branch of Christianity often overshadowed by the religion’s more boisterous (and orthodox) brethren.
A thought-provoking rethinking of Christianity.Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2024
ISBN: 9798334716773
Page Count: 88
Publisher: Self
Review Posted Online: Dec. 11, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2025
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.
The late actor offers a gentle guide for living with more purpose, love, and joy.
Mixing poetry, prescriptive challenges, and elements of memoir, Heche (1969-2022) delivers a narrative that is more encouraging workbook than life story. The author wants to share what she has discovered over the course of a life filled with abuse, advocacy, and uncanny turning points. Her greatest discovery? Love. “Open yourself up to love and transform kindness from a feeling you extend to those around you to actions that you perform for them,” she writes. “Only by caring can we open ourselves up to the universe, and only by opening up to the universe can we fully experience all the wonders that it holds, the greatest of which is love.” Throughout the occasionally overwrought text, Heche is heavy on the concept of care. She wants us to experience joy as she does, and she provides a road map for how to get there. Instead of slinking away from Hollywood and the ridicule that she endured there, Heche found the good and hung on, with Alec Baldwin and Harrison Ford starring as particularly shining knights in her story. Some readers may dismiss this material as vapid Hollywood stuff, but Heche’s perspective is an empathetic blend of Buddhism (minimize suffering), dialectical behavioral therapy (tolerating distress), Christianity (do unto others), and pre-Socratic philosophy (sufficient reason). “You’re not out to change the whole world, but to increase the levels of love and kindness in the world, drop by drop,” she writes. “Over time, these actions wear away the coldness, hate, and indifference around us as surely as water slowly wearing away stone.” Readers grieving her loss will take solace knowing that she lived her love-filled life on her own terms. Heche’s business and podcast partner, Heather Duffy, writes the epilogue, closing the book on a life well lived.
A sweet final word from an actor who leaves a legacy of compassion and kindness.Pub Date: Jan. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9781627783316
Page Count: 176
Publisher: Viva Editions
Review Posted Online: Feb. 6, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2023
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