The best new books I've read in the last month are (5+) The Flag + The Cross: White Christian Nationalism and the Threat to American Democracy by Philip S. Gorski and Samuel L. Perry (Oxford University Press, 2022)(5.0) Render Unto Cesar: The Struggle Over Christ and Culture in the New Testament by John Dominic Crossan (HarperOne, 2022)(4.5) Body Becoming: A Path to Our Liberation by Robyn Henderson-Espinoza (Broadleaf Books, 2022)(4.0) The Nineties: A Book by Chuck Klosterman Read More …
Books
Great New Books – April 2022 (#1980)
The best new books I've read in the last month are (5.0) Necessary Risks: Challenges Privileged People Need to Face by Teri McDowell Ott (Fortress Press, 2022)(4.5) This Here Flesh: Spirituality, Liberation, and the Stories that Make Us by Cole Arthur Riley (Convergent, 2022)(4.5) Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care: How to Respond When Things Are Falling Apart by Karen A. McClintock (Fortress Press, 2022)(4.5) The Art of Insubordination: How to Dissent & Defy Effectively by Todd B. Kashdan Read More …
Great New Books – March 2022 (#1977)
The best new books I’ve read in the last month are (5+) 20 Myths About Religion and Politics in America by Ryan P. Burge (Fortress Press, 2022)(5.0) Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week by Jason Porterfield (Herald Press, 2022)(4.5) Good Enough: 40ish Devotionals for a Life of Imperfection by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie (Convergent, 2022)(4.5) God is a Black Woman by Christena Cleveland (HarperOne, 2022)(4.0) The Resilient Pastor: Leading Your Church in a Rapidly Read More …
Great New Books – February 2022 (#1973)
The best new books I've read in the last month are (5.0) Cathonomics: How Catholic Tradition Can Create a More Just Economy by Anthony M. Annett (Georgetown University Press, 2022)(4.5) Freeing Congregational Mission: A Practical Vision for Companionship, Cultural Humility, and Co-Development by B. Hunter Farrell and S. Balajiedlang Khyllep (IVP Academic, 2022)(4.5) Invisible Child: Poverty. Survival & Hope in an American City by Andrea Elliott (Random House, 2021)(4.5) Closing Costs: Read More …
Great New Books – January 2022 (#1969)
Welcome to 2022! My first list of great new books for the year follows. (All books were published in 2021 or 2022.) (4.5) Be the Brave One: Living Your Spiritual Values Out Loud and Other Life Lessons by Ann Kansfield (Broadleaf Books, 2021)(4.5) Sharing Leadership: A United Church of Christ Way of Being in Community by Sarah B. Drummond (Pilgrim Press, 2021)(4.5) American Made: What Happens to People When Work Disappears by Farah Stockman (Random House, 2021)(4.0) The Generation Myth: Read More …
22 Must Read Books for 2022 (#1967)
For the last twelve years I’ve published an annual list of my top ten books published each year. While these lists have been alphabetical rather than in rank order, they’ve also included mention of two books from each list that had the greatest impact on my life and ministry during that year. To begin 2022, I'm taking a look back at the eleven most recent lists, which provides 22 must read books for 2022. (The list appears in alphabetical order by author last name.) Diana Butler Bass. Read More …
Top 10 Books of 2021 (#1964)
Welcome to the 12th annual So What Faith list of the top ten books of the year (books are listed in alphabetical order by author’s last name): Brian Alexander. The Hospital: Life, Death, and Dollars in a Small American Town.Diana Butler Bass. Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way and Presence.Dustin Benac & Erin Weber-Johnson (editors). Crisis & Care: Meditations on Faith and Philanthropy.Sarah Damaske. The Tolls of Uncertainty: How Privilege and Read More …
5 Star Books Published in 2021 (#1963)
Welcome to the third annual edition of all books published in the current year that received a rating of 5 or 5+ (on a scale of 1-5) from So What Faith. This year, 15% of all books rated received this honor. After Jesus Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements by Erin Vearncombe, Brandon Scott, and Hal Taussig for the Westar Christianity Seminar (HarperOne, 2021)At the Blue Hole: Elegy for a Church on the Edge by Jack R. Reese (William Read More …
Great New Books – December 2021 (#1962)
The ten best recently published books I read over the last month are (5.0) Evangelical Worship: An American Mosaic by Melanie C. Ross (Oxford University Press, 2021)(5.0) After Jesus Before Christianity: A Historical Exploration of the First Two Centuries of Jesus Movements by Erin Vearncombe, Brandon Scott, and Hal Taussig for the Westar Christianity Seminar (HarperOne, 2021)(5.0) At the Blue Hole: Elegy for a Church on the Edge by Jack R. Reese (William B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2021)(5.0) Read More …
Great New Books – November 2021 (#1958)
The ten best recently published books I read over the last month are (5.0) If God is Love Don't Be a Jerk: Finding a Faith that Makes us Better Humans by John Pavlovitz (Westminster John Knox Press, 2021)(5.0) Shelter Theology: The Religious Lives of People without Homes by Susan J. Dunlap (Fortress Press, 2021)(4.5) A Women's Lectionary for the Whole Church: A Multi-Gospel Single-Year Lectionary - Year W by Wilda C. Gafney (Church Publishing, 2021)(4.5) Dirty Work: Essential Jobs and the Read More …