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Book Club
I use the term "Book Club" loosely here to mean a list of books I am reading or have recently read. A book's appearance on this page does not mean I ascribe to all, or even most, of what that book says. Rather, that the book contains ideas I think deserve a closer look. If you are interested in further discussion about any of the books listed here (or an actual book club!), shoot me an email using the Contact Me form.
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Currently Reading
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
by Jonathan Haidt
Haidt provides the research to back up what we all know to be true: the screens aren't good for us, and they're especially not good for our kids. Yes, it's somewhat guilt-inducing. But the good news is, the "phone-based childhood" is not a wicked problem like generational poverty. The solutions are relatively simple and mostly require a critical mass of us to get on the same page about how we approach screens with our kids.
Archives
Religion, Peace and Conflict
by HarvardX
This is not a book, but a free, online course offered by Harvard University through EdX. I'm on week six of eight and my mind is being blown every session. The course explores the role of religion in some of our world's largest violent conflicts in history and the present day, drawing out how religion has always been used both to incite violence and promote peace. Course material will be available through Dec. 29, 2018. Highly recommend!
Preemptive Love: Pursuing Peace One Heart at a Time
by Jeremy Courtney
The story of Jeremy and Jessica Courtney, who moved to Iraq during the Iraq War. They became inextricably involved in the lives of thousands of children with heart defects likely resulting from Saddam Hussein's chemical attacks in the late 1980s. Wholeheartedly written and incredibly eye-opening about the humanity and history of the Iraqui people.
Blindspot: Hidden Biases of Good People
by Mahzarin R. Banaji and Anthony G. Greenwald
Not the final word on the topic, but definitely a good and fascinating starting place for learning about ways you perceive other people that you probably don't even realize. Provides basic psychological background and introduction to the Project Implicit test you can easily take online yourself. Also provides review and analysis of past test results and attempts to translate those results into real world effects of implicit bias.
What You Should Know About Politics...But Don't
by Jessamyn Conrad
Something I desperately needed in the months leading up to the election. I've only read the first chapter so far, on the elections process. It reads almost like an abbreviated textbook, but a bit more conversational. Looking forward to having this as a foundation before I dive into more heavily biased books.
More: When a Little Bit of the Spirit Is Not Enough
by Alan Kraft
It feels silly trying to boil down the concept of inviting God's Spirit to be present and active in your daily life into a one-paragraph blurb. God is real, His Spirit is real, and I think most American Christians are missing out on one of His greatest gifts to us. If you are freaked out by this kind of talk, check out the book's intro on Amazon. It will help you feel at ease and also excited to dig deeper into the why and the how of experiencing the Holy Spirit.
Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy
by Eric Metaxas
I finally finished this one! It's an excellent book but a bit tedious for someone like me who has very little understanding of basic world history. People on both sides of the current American political scene frequently accuse the other side of being Hitler or Nazi-esque. This book gives a thorough examination of the political climate in Germany leading up to and during the Third Reich which is helpful in evaluating the credibility of those accusations. I was inspired by Bonhoeffer's life and faith. Worth the two years!
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness
by Michelle Alexander
Alexander provides compelling evidence that black men in America consistently receive harsher consequences for the same actions for which white Americans receive little or no consequences. This has had devastating effects on black men, their families, their communities, and our nation. The book is redundant--could have been a quarter of the length it is--and Alexander extrapolates so much in some places that she loses credibility for her more accurate observations. For a more succinct presentation of the same material, check out the Netflix original movie 13th.
Abortion: The Ultimate Exploitation of Women
by Brian E. Fisher
Can we all agree that choosing between protecting women and protecting unborn children is an absurd false dichotomy? I am committed to changing the conversation around abortion, and becoming informed on the history of the debate is critical to that end. This book is authored by Brian E. Fisher, founder of the Human Coalition, a non-political organization dedicated to saving unborn children and empowering women who are likely to choose abortion. Watch for additional books and a blog post about this issue!
The Gospel Comes with a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World
by Rosaria Butterfield
This book set me back on my heels. Butterfield describes a Christian life that, in its affection, service, and love toward her fellow humans would win the praises of the most liberal, progressive Christians. However, she draws some hard theological lines that would make the most conservative, "moral majority" Christians proud. Her testimony--from lesbian, outspoken feminist, and athiest to submissive Christian wife (to a man)--is compelling. There are places in this book that provided my heart much-needed conviction, but there are also places where I feel Butterfield abuses the authority of scripture and wrongly places heavy yokes on people, yokes that Christ has removed. Worth the read for Christians of all stripes!
Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith
by Sarah Bessey
Sarah Bessey changed my life for the better with Jesus Feminist. Still, it took me awhile to get around to reading Out of Sorts because I already expected to agree with it and I try to keep myself on my toes by reading things I disagree with. But oh, man, I'm so glad I came back to Bessey. The combination of grace and conviction with which she writes is magical (in a holy, non-Harry Potter way). For anyone who has questions that aren't allowed in church, but who suspects that Jesus is still the real deal, this book is an excellent place to start.
The Road to Serfdom
by F.A. Hayek
This book is a big deal for economic conservatives. The claim is that it explains clearly why NOT allowing the government to help people financially is actually the more compassionate thing to do. Hayek's premise is that a "planned economy" is worse for everyone than a free market that flexes with the real demands of the people. I want to develop a political sensibility that is both big-hearted and realistic, and digesting this book is one step on that journey. Wish me luck!