The best books I’ve read in the last month are
- (4.5) The Emancipation of God: Postmarks on Cultural Prophecy by Walter Brueggemann, edited by Conrad L. Kanagy (Fortress Press, 2024)
- (4.5) Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human by Cole Arthur Riley (Convergent, 2024)
- (4.5) To Mend the World: A New Vision for Youth Ministry by Jason Lief and Kurt Rietema (Fortress Press, 2023)
- (4.0) Wounded Pastors: Navigating Burnout, Finding Healing, and Discerning the Future of Your Ministry by Carol Howard and James Fenimore (Westminster John Knox, 2024)
- (4.0) Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did. by John Mark Comer (Waterbrook, 2024)
- (4.0) Gratitude: Why Giving Thanks is the Key to Our Well-Being by Cornelius Plantinga (Brazos Press, 2024)
- (3.5) The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life by Michael Wear (Zondervan Books, 2023)
- (2.5) Clarifying Christianity: A 12-Week Study for Confused Churchgoers by Jacquelyn Guinn (Deep River Books, 2023)
Welcome Back
Three authors on this month’s list have appeared on So What Faith in the past:
- Walter Brueggemann has appeared many times, including for 7 of of the books he’s authored in the last decade: Ancient Echoes: Refusing the Fear-Filled Greed-Driven Toxicity of the Far Right (rated 4.0 in 2023), Virus as a Summons to Faith: Biblical Reflections in a Time of Loss, Grief and Uncertainty (rated 4.0 in 2020), Materiality as Resistance: Five Elements for Moral Action in the Real World (rated 4.5 in 2020), A Glad Obedience: Why and What We Sing by Walter Brueggemann (rated 4.5 in 2019), Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out (rated 4.5 in 2018), Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now (rated 5.0 in 2014 and named a Top 10 Book for 2014), Truth Speaks to Power: The Countercultural Nature of Scripture (rated 4.5 in 2013),
- Cole Arthur Riley appeared in April 2022 when her then new book This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us was featured (rated 4.5 in 2022).
- Carol Howard, formerly known as Carol Howard Meritt, has been mentioned numerous times, including reviews or ratings of books she authored: Healing Spiritual Wounds: Reconnecting with a Loving God After Experiencing a Hurtful Church (rated 4.5 in 2017), Reframing Hope: Vital Ministry in a New Generation. (reviewed in 2010), and Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation (reviewed in 2010).