April 2023 MBR The Christian Studies Shelf

The Christian Studies Shelf

Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?
Ken Swarner
David C. Cook
c/o Cook Communications
4050 Lee Vance Dr., Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.davidccook.org
9780830784196, $17.00, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Why-Give-Kids-Free-Will/dp/0830784195

Synopsis: As a parent, do you sometimes wonder about God's plan -- specifically why He gave our children free will to do the things they do? More thoughtful and holy thinkers have tackled the question.

It's a mystery, mostly, but in its raw form, parental mishaps help us get closer to God. Consider:
Learning patience while spitwads land in your drink; Embracing the absurdity of teens wearing shorts in the winter; Practicing gentleness as you explain (again) why it is important to restock the toilet paper.

Regret, humiliation, control -- as a parent you can let go of these when you laugh and make peace with the idea that God may just have a sense of humor after all.

With anecdotes, prayers, devotionals, and reflections, with the publication of "Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?", parent and author Ken Swarner shows his readers the hilarious, spiritual journey of life with kids sure to inspire and unite Christian parents.

Critique: Written with wit, wisdom, experience, and a sense of humor, "Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?" is a fun, informative, and thought-provoking read that can be unreservedly recommended for personal and community library Parenting collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of anyone with an interest in a Christian perspective on parenting that "Why Did God Give My Kids Free Will?" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.04).

Editorial Note: Ken Swarner (https://kenswarner.com) is the author of Whose Kids Are These Anyway? He has been married to his high school sweetheart for thirty-three years and counting while raising four children and three pets. While on the front lines of child rearing (once constructing a homework jail), Ken has served as a school board member, PTA president, Cub Master, and soccer coach. He is also in the Civilian Hall of Fame at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and one day aspires to complete a full sentence at the family dinner table.

Grief: The Beacon of Love
Carolyn Begley Daley
Westbow Press
c/o Thomas Nelson Publishers
PO Box 141000, Nashville, TN 37214
www.westbowpress.com
9781664271784, $9.95, PB, 80pp

https://www.amazon.com/Grief-Beacon-Carolyn-Begley-Daley/dp/1664271783

Synopsis: With the publication of "Grief: The Beacon of Love", Carolyn Begley Daley reveals that grief has been her teacher for many years in a life replete with both sorrows and joys. Carolun expounds on the way of love which leads us to the cross and God's great love for us. She would often wonder what her life was all about with its occasions of grief born tears?

If grief is our teacher, what do we need to learn? Her message is that grief is a journey of love that each of us has to walk alone. While our tears drip, drop and flow, they contain our healing as well as we, each of us, walk along our individual pilgrimages of grief that ultimately leads us to finding joy through the love of God.

Critique: Compassionate, insightful, absorbing, inspired and inspiring, "Grief: The Beacon of Love" has won Literary Titan Silver Award and received an Honorable Mention at the New England Book Festival. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99), "Grief: The Beacon of Love" will have a special appeal and value for readers with an interest on a life changing, life enhancing, Christian perspective with Personal & Spiritual Growth.

Editorial Note: Carolyn Begley Daley (https://www.carolynbegleydaley.com) was born in Hyden, Kentucky. She holds a BS in chemistry and biology from Eastern Kentucky University and a MEd in education from the University of Louisville. She has served on the boards of several charitable organizations and has served in leadership roles in those organizations. She and her husband, Gil have taught Bible study and Sunday school for several years while living in Dallas and Lexington, Kentucky.

The Church's Mission in a Polarized World
Aaron Wessman
New City Press
202 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
www.newcitypress.com
9781565485495, $24.95, PB, 240pp

https://www.amazon.com/Churchs-Mission-Polarized-World-Magenta/dp/1565485491

Synopsis: The Roman Catholic Church has been riven with assaults on the integrity of its leadership in recent years with everything from child abuse to changes in liturgy/ritual, the role of nuns, the celibacy of priests, and its role and performance in geopolitical issues abroad and the toxic political realities her at home.

With the publication of "The Church's Mission in a Polarized World", Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman seeks to provide perspective and faith-based inspiration for all members of the Catholic community to understand this current age from a long-range Catholic history and contemporary application of Christian values to heal toxic polarizations that threaten to corrupt the social fabric and unleash the forces of persecution, hatred, and discrimination upon (and within) the Catholic community. Highly recommended as essential reading, it should be noted for clergy, seminary students, and all members of Catholic Church that "The Church's Mission in a Polarized World" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $18.95).

Editorial Note: Fr. Robert Aaron Wessman is vicar general and director of formation of the Glenmary Home Missioners. He has a PhD from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) in Systematic Theology (2019). He serves as an at-large board member for the Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMSM) and is a guest lecturer at St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology. Glenmary, the religious congregation he belongs to, is a missionary society of apostolic life of the Catholic Church. Glenmary conducts mission in rural, poor, and non-Catholic areas of the United States, primarily in the southeast and Appalachia. Visit www.glenmary.org for more information.

Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance
Mark Lanier
1845 Books
c/o Baylor University Press
One Bear Place, #97363, Waco, TX 76798-7363
www.baylorpress.com
9781481318808, $39.99, HC, 383pp

https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Living-Prayers-Wisdom-Guidance/dp/1481318802

Synopsis: A trial lawyer by trade, a Christian by heart -- author and attorney Mark Lanier has trained in biblical languages and devoted his life to studying and living the Bible. Facing daily the tension between the demands of his career and the desire for a godly life, Lanier recognizes the importance and challenge of finding daily time to spend in God's Word. His meditations on the Gospels reveal the need for daily devotion from the teachings of Jesus.

With the publication of "Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance", Lanier shares a year's worth of meditations centered around the church calendar. Unlike his other devotionals, "Jesus for Living" is meant to be read according to the rhythms of the liturgical seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time.

In the pages of "Jesus for Living, Lanier reflects on the actions and teachings of Jesus, offering insight on how our lives might imitate Jesus, and concludes each reading with a prayer of encouragement.

Critique: Inspired and inspiring, thoughtful and thought-provoking, "Jesus for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance" will be of very special interest and value to readers with an interest in Jesus as recorded in the New Testament Gospels and Book of Acts, in Christian Meditation and Worship, and Christian Devotionals. While unreservedly recommended for church, community, and academic library Christian Studies collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliations that "Jesus for Living" is also readily available in a paperback edition (9781481318815, $24.99).

Editorial Note: Mark Lanier is a nationally renowned trial lawyer; founder of the Lanier Theological Library and the Christian Trial Lawyers Association; and author of Psalms for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance, Torah for Living: Daily Prayers, Wisdom, and Guidance, and Christianity on Trial: A Lawyer Examines the Christian Faith.

From Prodigal to Priest
Fr. Goyo Hidalgo
Ave Maria Press
PO Box 428, Notre Dame, IN 46556
www.avemariapress.com
9781646802128, $14.95, PB, 218pp

https://www.amazon.com/Prodigal-Priest-Journey-Fathers-Embrace/dp/1646802128

Synopsis: Goyo Hidalgo's struggle with excess, pain, and fear plagued him for ten years. The gritty story of his unexpected redemption started after a hard night of partying in Los Angeles and a life-changing message coming from his television.

He woke up that April morning to the broadcast of Pope John Paul II's funeral Mass. A reflection on the now-saint's message of "Be not afraid" awakened a deep longing in Hidalgo's soul -- a yearning that led him back to the Catholic faith of his youth and ultimately into the priesthood.

"From Prodigal to Priest: A Journey Home to Family, Faith, and the Father's Embrace " is a memoir that takes you on Hidalgo's journey of reconciliation with his faith and his family. He offers compassionate encouragement to those who believe themselves unforgivable and reminds them that Jesus is always there to welcome them home to the Church. Hidalgo's conversion story affirms the power of God's mercy and the deep transformation his grace can bring.

Hidalgo grew up in a devout Catholic family in a small town in Spain. He went to a minor seminary as a youth to begin studies to become a priest, but left after about five years. Once he went to college, he fell away from the faith -- and repeatedly lied to his mother about it. Hidalgo's dream was to travel the world and teach, leaving poverty behind.

With Jesus's parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) as a companion, "From Prodigal to Priest" will have you walking along with Hidalgo through both the joy and the difficulties he experienced as he came home to the Catholic faith of his childhood -- confessing to his mother, relearning how to pray, going to Confession, telling his friends about his reversion, and his call to the priesthood. And you will learn that it's important to pray, discern, trust, and be thankful to God, regardless of the outcome.

Of special note is that each individual chapter includes prayers for both prodigal sons and daughters and those who accompany them.

Critique: Inspired and inspiring, "From Prodigal to Priest: A Journey Home to Family, Faith, and the Father's Embrace" is unreservedly recommended reading for all members of the Roman Catholic community. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject that "From Prodigal to Priest" is also available in a digital book format ($11.49) from Ave Maria Press.

Editorial Note: Fr. Goyo Hidalgo is a priest in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, a singer-songwriter, and a social media evangelist. A native of La Villa de Don Fadrique, a small town near Toledo, Spain, he attended minor seminary as a youth to become a priest, but left after six years. He earned master's degrees in English and Spanish linguistics from Complutense University of Madrid in 1996, after which he traveled to other countries to teach Spanish and English. He eventually became a middle and high school teacher in the Los Angeles, California, area and released two albums of Catholic music in Spanish and English. Hidalgo underwent a radical reversion to the faith of his youth after watching the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 and hearing his famous words: "Do not be afraid." Hidalgo earned a master of divinity degree from St. John's seminary in Camarillo, California, and was ordained to the priesthood in 2016.

Never Cast Out
Jasmine L. Holmes
B&H Publishing Group
1 LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234
www.bhpublishinggroup.com
9781087747163, $17.99, PB, 224pp

https://www.amazon.com/Never-Cast-Out-Gospel-Story/dp/1087747163

Synopsis: Body shaming. Marriage shaming. Single shaming. Mom shaming. Lifestyle shaming. Religious shaming. It seems no matter which direction women today turn, they find themselves unable to shake the shame that is constantly piled on top of them.

Author and podcaster Jasmine L. Holmes knows this struggle all too well. Though shame has been a constant companion (and even a snare) throughout her life, God has broken the chains of shame in Jasmine's life through the power of the gospel.

"Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame" is a Christ-centered and empowering book in which Jasmine covers: The story of shame (where it comes from, what it is, what makes it different from guilt or conviction, and why it's so pervasive); The problem with shame (why the typical methods of throwing off shame don't actually work); The end of shame (how Jesus puts an end to shame by offering a better covering, a better image, and a better message than the world can); The way to fight shame (how to use practical and powerful ways to fight shame in daily life, breaking its chains in the power of the gospel and resting in the One who has taken all your shame away for good).

The story of shame is a powerful one. But even stronger are the arms of the One who carried your shame and will never cast you out.

Critique: "Never Cast Out: How the Gospel Puts an End to the Story of Shame" is especially commended to the attention of all women members of the Christian community who are ready to experience what Jesus has to offer them -- and finally be free of unwarranted and spiritually debilitating shames imposed by our secular society. Exceptionally well written, organized and presented, "Never Cast Out" is recommended for readers with an interest in a Christian perspective on women's social and spiritual issues. It should be noted for personal reading lists that "Never Cast Out" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.95).

Editorial Note: Jasmine L. Holmes (https://jasminelholmes.com) has written for The Gospel Coalition, Desiring God, Fathom Mag, Christianity Today, and The Witness. She is also a contributing author for Identity Theft: Reclaiming the Truth of Our Identity in Christ and His Testimonies, My Heritage: Women of Color on the Word of God. She teaches humanities in a classical Christian school in Jackson, Mississippi, where she and her husband, Phillip, are parenting two young sons. They are members of Redeemer Church, PCA.

C.J.S. Hayward in Under 99 Pages
C.J.S. Hayward
CJS Hayward Publications
www.cjshayward.com/books
9798485392727, $11.99 Hardcover/$5.99 Paper/$.99 Kindle

https://www.amazon.com/C-J-S-Hayward-Under-Pages-Works/dp/B09H8SLCZP

Anyone who has followed the spiritual writings of C.J.S. Hayward well knows they are thought-provoking, lengthy productions designed to engage spiritual thinkers and audiences in intellectual discourse. This is why C.J.S. Hayward in Under 99 Pages represents a significant achievement, appealing to modern readers who may not have time or inclination for a tome of hundreds of pages, however relevant or intriguing they might be; but who will find this a fine synthesis of his works that touches on the highlights.

The attempt to consolidate so many trains of thought, literary, spiritual, and philosophical references, and intellectual discourse into such a diminutive work must have been daunting, given the length and breadth of Hayward's previous writings. Those familiar with them might expect that the idea that the scope of these works could even begin to fit into 99 pages would be a task especially daunting (perhaps nearly impossible). And yet, Br. Christos achieves this goal, offering six chapters, an introduction, and an epilogue that touches upon the basic principles more heavily outlined in his previous works.

Readers who would gain an introduction to Christian Orthodoxy principles in general and Hayward's extensive reflections on it would do well to begin with C.J.S. Hayward in Under 99 Pages. Its ability to capture audiences with discussions that are lively and contemporary makes it a top recommendation for book clubs interested in debates and discussions over spiritual concepts and analytical approaches: "Where the reader only sees one question, an ancient reader saw at least two other questions that are invisible to the present reader. As well as the question of "How?" that evolution addresses, there is the question of "Why?" and "What function does it serve?" These two questions are very important, and are not even considered when people are only trying to work out the antagonism between creationism and evolutionism."

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