16 Strivings for God: The New Psychology of Religious Experiences, Steven Reiss. Macon: Mercer University Press, 2015. Summary: A new psychology of religious experience that argues that religions enjoy such a wide embrace because they offer repeated opportunities to satisfy sixteen basic motivations or “strivings” common to all human beings. … [Read more...] about Book Review: 16 Strivings for God
religion
Book Review: God and Race in American Politics, by Mark A. Noll
God and Race in American Politics: A Short History, Mark A. Noll. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2008. Summary: This text explores the interwoven story of religion, race, and politics in American history, with a concluding theological reflection. … [Read more...] about Book Review: God and Race in American Politics, by Mark A. Noll
Book Review: The Good of Politics
In our current toxic political climate one might ask the question, “can anything good come of politics?” James W. Skillen would answer that affirmatively. In The Good of Politics (Baker, 2014), Skillen's main contention is that to be created in the image of God means, among other things, that we are political creatures and that political life, along with things like work and family, is part of God's creation intention for us. It is not a consequence of the fall. Like other aspects of the human condition, political … [Read more...] about Book Review: The Good of Politics
Interruption Is Calling (Scholar’s Compass)
Interruptibility frees me to be cehccessible and to relate to specific people in the path of my day, not hoarding my attention and energy for building only those linkages I may have defined as professionally strategic. How willing am I to view this interrupting situation as potentially more important work than what I had scheduled and planned for this hour, this day, or this season of life? On a broader scale, how willing am I to set aside my predetermined professional aspirations to be with people who have experienced … [Read more...] about Interruption Is Calling (Scholar’s Compass)
Book Review: Big Questions, Worthy Dreams
Big Questions, Worthy Dreams: Mentoring Emerging Adults in Their Search for Meaning, Purpose, and Faith Sharon D. Parks My rating: 3 of 5 stars This is one of the books that higher ed professionals have mentioned to me over and over again with regard to the interest in “spirituality” among college students. So, when a friend offered to lend me a copy, I accepted. For me, there were two significant areas of “takeaway” from this book. The first was Parks exploration of the developmental stage of “emerging … [Read more...] about Book Review: Big Questions, Worthy Dreams