June 2023 MBR The Christian Studies Shelf

The Christian Studies Shelf

Trust
Henry Cloud
Worthy Books
c/o Worthy Publishing
www.worthypublishing.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781546003373, $28.00, HC, 304pp

https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Knowing-When-Withhold-Broken/dp/1546003371

Synopsis: Trust (noun): Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence. The confident expectation of something -- hope.

Trust is the fuel for all of life. We are wired biologically, neurologically, emotionally, spiritually, and psychologically to trust. Trust is the currency that drives every relationship, beginning with the foundational bond between infants and their mothers, extending to the trust networks that undergird every human endeavor (art, science, commerce) and binding together every relationship we have ever had or ever will have. Nothing in our world works without trust.

It is tempting to think that trust is simple, that we should be able to spot a lack of trustworthiness relatively easily. But we all have our stories about misplaced trust. We either missed clear or subtle warning signs or there just were not any warning signs to see. Everything looked good on the surface, and maybe it was. But we got burned anyway.

And sometimes we struggle to earn and keep the trust of those around us when trust bonds fail to form or are broken. When trust breaks down, so does our ability to move forward.

With the publication of "Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken", Dr. Cloud explores from a Christian perspective the five foundational aspects of trust that must be present for any relationship to function successfully and helps us to understand how to implement them. He also guides us through the difficult process of repairing trust when it has been violated and broken, even when restoring trust feels impossible.

Rich with wisdom drawn from decades of experience in clinical practice, business consulting and research, Trust is the ultimate resource for managing this most complex and fundamental of human bonds, allowing us to experience more fruitful and rewarding relationships in every area of our lives.

Critique: Deftly organized into five major sections (Trust Makes Life Work; The Five Essentials of Trust; Growing in Trust; The Model for Repairing Trust; Moving Forward), "Trust: Knowing When to Give It, When to Withhold It, How to Earn It, and How to Fix It When It Gets Broken" will have a very special value for readers with an interest in Christian oriented personal growth, and transformative self-help. While especially and unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, seminary, and academic library Christian Studies and Self-Help/Self-Improvement collections, it should be noted that "Trust" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781668630549, $40.00, CD).

Editorial Note: Dr. Henry Cloud is (https://www.drcloud.com) us an acclaimed leadership expert, a clinical psychologist and a New York Times bestselling author. His 45 books, include the iconic Boundaries. He has an extensive executive coaching background and experience as a leadership consultant, devoting the majority of his time working with CEOs, leadership teams, and executives to improve performance, leadership skills and culture.

Acts: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching
David Gentino, author
John Harvey, editor
Kregel Ministry
c/o Kregel Publications
www.kregel.com
9780825458293, $41.99, HC, 576pp

https://www.amazon.com/Acts-Commentary-Biblical-Preaching-Teaching/dp/0825458293

Synopsis: With the publication of "Acts: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching" author David Gentino and editor John D. Harvey tease out the multifaceted yet compatible purposes apparent in Acts: showing God the Holy Spirit in action as Jesus's disciples undertook the commission that he gave them; presenting Jesus as Messiah and the source of salvation for all people groups; addressing objections to and accusations against the Christian movement; validating the Gentile mission; and providing models for public proclamation and apologetical defense. Their preaching commentary explores contrasts and corollaries between the church in Acts and the church today, encouraging believers who have the same commission, same empowering Spirit, and same challenges of opposition to the faith and cultural boundaries as did the early church.

Critique: Offering a complete course of instruction that will have a very special value for seminary students and clergy, "Acts: A Commentary for Biblical Preaching and Teaching" is exceptionally well written, organized and presented, making it ideal as a DIY independent studies or formal classroom textbook -- as well as being unreservedly recommended for personal, professional, community, church, seminary, college, and university library Christian Theology collections in general, and New Testament curriculum studies lists in particular.

Editorial Note #1: David Gentino (MDiv, Columbia Biblical Seminary) is the church planting pastor of Columbia Presbyterian Church PCA in South Carolina. David and his wife, Julie, have four children and have served in several church plants in the United States and in South Asia and are active in training planters in the Middle East.

Editorial Note #2: John D. Harvey (ThD, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto) professor of New Testament and the PhD program director at Columbia Biblical Seminary in Columbia, SC. His works include Interpreting the Pauline Letters: An Exegetical Handbook, A Commentary on Romans, Listening to the Text: Oral Patterning in Paul's Letters, Greek is Good Grief: Laying the Foundation for Exegesis and Exposition, and Anointed with the Spirit and Power: A Biblical Theology of Holy Spirit Empowerment. He is an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church in America and has served cross-culturally in Europe and Africa.

An Untidy Faith
Kate Boyd
Herald Press
www.heraldpress.com
9781513811802, $31.99, HC, 208pp

https://www.amazon.com/Untidy-Faith-Journeying-Following-Jesus/dp/1513811800

Synopsis: In the wake of church scandals, culture wars, and clergy abuse of parishioners and children, many Christians are wondering whether the North American church is redeemable -- and if not, whether they should even stay. While many are answering no to those questions, "An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus" by Kate Boyd is for those who long to disentangle their faith from all the cultural baggage and seek to recapture the joy of following Jesus.

Through personal anecdotes, encounters with the global church, deep dives into Scripture, and helpful historical context about Christianity, "An Untidy Faith" takes readers on two journeys. The first journey lays out the grand vision of Christianity and the legacy passed on to us by the early believers in hopes of renewing readers' belief in the church writ large. The second journey helps believers understand why they feel distant from their church settings and provides a reorientation drawn from Scripture of God's vision for community.

A gentle companion, Kate Boyd metaphorically walks alongside those who have questions but can't ask them for fear of being labeled by or cast out of their communities. Think of "An Untidy Faith" as a guidebook for those who want to be equipped with practices to rebuild their faith and shape their communities to look more like Jesus and what He taught.

Critique: Exceptionally inspiring, insightfully informative, motivating and faith sustaining, contemporarily relevant, "An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus" must be considered essential reading for all members of the Christian community regardless of denominational affiliation. For the personal reading lists of clergy, seminary students, and anyone who is struggling to maintain their Christian faith when confronted with examples of hypocrisy, corruption, and criminality within the Christian church and community, it should be noted that "An Untidy Faith: Journeying Back to the Joy of Following Jesus" is also available in a paperback edition (9781513811796, $18.99) and in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99). Indeed, if you see a family member, friend, or congregational colleague struggling with disillusionment and trying to rebuild their Christian faith, considering gifting them with a copy of "An Untidy Faith by Kate Boyd -- it could well be vital for the beginning of their reconciliation with God and the Church.

Editorial Note: Kate Boyd (https://www.kateboyd.co) is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. She helps believers who find themselves in the messy middle between conservative and progressive navigate the tensions of the Christian life so they can more confidently walk the lines between doubt and certainty and faith and action with love and grace for all. She graduated cum laude with a BS in journalism and soon found her way to marketing and storytelling. She has traveled the world to interview and tell the stories of believers on mission, and she has written copy that has created millions in revenue for non- profits and small businesses. She is currently studying theology with an emphasis in church history and biblical languages at Perkins School of Theology.

An Orphan In The House of God
Craig Daliessio
Independently Published
9798355458911, $14.99, PB, 232pp

https://www.amazon.com/Orphan-House-God-Craig-Daliessio/dp/B0BSJ6HTMS

Synopsis: "Jesus said: "Unless you become childlike, you cannot grasp the kingdom of God..."

With the publication of "An Orphan in the House of God", author Craig Daliessio shares the intimate details of growing up in a dysfunctional, chaotic family and his desperate attempt to reach out to a God he didn't understand. As he entered adulthood, he came to realize that a spirit of orphanage was keeping him trapped and unable to experience the childlike faith and joy that Jesus taught.

After years of hurtful relationships with his parents and others close to him, Craig came to understand that God's love is beyond what even the best mom or dad has ever shown their child.

Critique: Part memoir, part treatise on the healing a faith in Jesus can provide, "An Orphan in the House of God" is an inherently fascinating and ultimately inspiring life story that will be of particular and special interest to all members of the Christian community regardless of the reader's denominational affiliation. It should be noted for clergy, seminary students, and non-specialist general readers with an interest in the subject tht "An Orphan in the House of God" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $3.99).

Editorial Note: Craig Daliessia (https://craigdaliessio.com) is the author of six previous books including "The Ragamuffin's Christmas," "Nowhere to Lay My Head," and "Sometimes Daddies Cry: What a Dad Really Feels about Divorce".

The Orthodox Martial Art is Living the Sermon on the Mount
CJS Hayward
CJS Hayward Publications
https://cjshayward.com
9798374612257, $19.99 Hardcover/$11.99 Paper/$2.99 ebook

https://cjshayward.com/martial-art

The Orthodox Martial Art is Living the Sermon on the Mount departs from CJS Hayward's other works, linking the Sermon on the Mount to Orthodoxy in a manner that promotes and links the Sermon to martial arts mastery. Hayward opens with many thought-provoking statements, not the least of which is a discourse on the belief that Christians need to be more cognizant of catch phrases and words that describe their mission.

His attack on the vague "lay down your life for your neighbor" and his consideration of the violence underlying this concept invites further discourse and reflection on the notion of Christians killing and fighting. As always, Hayward's ability to both analyze and pull no punches in analyzing the belief systems and underlying psychological and spirituality which are part of Orthodoxy comes to the forefront in discussions which are as passionate as they are studious.

From his analysis and consideration of "slippery words in Orthodoxy" to deeper reflections on the gifts of the Sermon on the Mount which appear in disparate ways ("It was by the Sermon on the Mount not following protocol that an Orthodox elder responded to a subordinate who had let loose a torrent of toxic words against him by giving him a small gift and saying, 'Always talk to me that way!'"),

CJS Hayward creates discussion points and insights that lend particularly well to debate in Orthodox circles. From what translates to successful and ultimate mastery to how intention and spiritual reflection are employed both internally and externally, Hayward creates discussions that are passionate, vivid, and filled with life. Given how martial arts is reflected in credentials, teachings, and instances in Hayward's life when he was granted extraordinary realizations and experiences that reinforced Orthodoxy beliefs and underlying messages, this book is a synthesis of his life work and revelations. It invites thinking Orthodoxy readers and Christians alike to reconsider some of the basic tenets of belief in a new way.

Libraries seeking a contemporary discourse on Orthodoxy's presence in and ongoing relevance to current daily living will find The Orthodox Martial Art is Living the Sermon on the Mount spirited, wide-ranging, and thought-provoking. It's essential reading for those who would link the underlying foundations of Orthodoxy to modern times.

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