Category: Theology/Christian Living Page 1 of 33

DETAILS:
Publisher: Baker Books
Publication Date: November 3, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 304 pg.
Read Date: November 11, 2026

What’s What Saith the Lord? About?

Ward starts off with a basic premise—languages, like English, change over time. There are several reasons for this—some good, some bad, some…just happen. This is how languages work. So despite Elizabethan (more specifically, Jacobean) English and contemporary English both falling under the category of “Modern English,” there are a lot of ways they differ—even when it comes to specific words. So a book published in 1611 is going to use many words differently than even a highly educated and well-read person in 2026—much less your man/woman/child on the street today.

One such book published in 1611 is the Authorized Version of the Bible—better known as the King James Bible. Ward sets out to look at 38 words that most of us think we understand (and we do), but not in the way the translators of the KJV did.

Ward’s goal is not to discredit the KJV—he uses it and appreciates it (and wrote a whole book talking about how it can/should be used today, Authorized: The Use and Misuse of the King James Bible—a book I meant to read 7 years ago, and was only reminded of when I started this). His goal is to help users understand it better—and to equip them to do so.

Ward’s Method (also a weakness for reading the book)

Yes, Ward wants to impart some understanding of the 38 words he selected in this book (he has a list of 150 that would’ve worked as an appendix). But his approach follows the pattern of “give a man 38 fish, you’ve fed him for 38 verses (or so); teach a man to fish, you’ve fed him for a whole translation.”

He has five steps to use for one of these “false friends” (as he calls them)—and walks through those steps in each chapter—giving each chapter pretty much the same outline (he varies how much space he uses on each step per chapter).

This is the biggest weakness of the book—it gets a bit repetitive if you read it in big chunks like I did (it’s probably just as repetitive if you read a couple of chapters at a time, but it’s just not as mind-numbing)

Another problem I have is how often he repeats certain disclaimers—for example, no, he doesn’t think the KJV translators got a word wrong, they just didn’t realize what would happen to the language over 400 years. I didn’t bother counting how many times he said that—but I do wish I had to make this illustration better. I assume this was done because he can’t assume the reader will go cover to cover, but might just tap into a chapter here and there: “What’s up with ‘passenger?'”, “‘By and by’ used to mean something else?”, “I always wondered why Pastor said, ‘drink ye all of it'”

These don’t detract from the value of the book, it just makes reading the book in one sitting a little sluggish (okay, one sitting with a nap-mid way through)

Strengths

This is a word-nerd’s delight—especially if you’re into Bible Study. I picked up so many handy insights and trivia, along with a better understanding of some phrases/words that I’m calling this a win. There were only a couple of chapters that didn’t interest me (“ass” and “bastard” are good examples, everything he gave was pretty obvious to me in them—although his application of 1 Cor. 14 in the “ass” chapter made it worth it—we need to make sure the words we use mean what we think they do for the unbeliever in our midst)

He makes few outright jokes (and those he does are pretty good), but throughout he keeps things light and fun. Because there aren’t a lot of people that relish the history of the meaning of “sodden” or “replenish” the way Ward and I do, so his light tone is the proverbial spoonful of sugar for most readers. And it’s just a nice bonus for the nerds among his readers (he uses the term for himself in this context, it’s not derogatory).

He Was Maybe Too Successful

Frankly, I walked away from this book thinking that people should really rely on the KJV less than they do. I’m not going to get into textual criticism or any of the other things Ward (wisely) avoids. He’s trying to make the KJV more accessible, which is a fine motivation. But I think he was too successful in showing the damage these words can do to one’s understanding.

The old line that so many give (and he repeats here), “if you have a question, use a Dictionary” is good and sound. But there several words he focused on here that Ward didn’t realize were a problem until he started writing the book—some he learned about just before he wrote a chapter (i.e., it wasn’t on his original outline for the book). If the guy who’s whole shtick is “watch out for these tricky words” didn’t know he wasn’t seeing a problem, how are us non-Biblical scholars?

Also, the tools he recommends using aren’t cheap. And really should be used with a decent understanding of Biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek. So, he might have tried to teach me to fish, but he really didn’t take into account that I get my metaphorical fishing gear from thrift stores and charity shops—and I think most of his readers are at similar levels.

So, what did I think about What Saith the Lord??

Other than where I think he overshot his goal, this book is great.

It’s incredibly approachable—readers from 7th grade to 90 years can read and benefit from it. The tone is good, the information is solid and useful.

And for those who have the means and the time, his research steps would be very helpful, I think. I can see myself doing them (if I read the KJV often).

I strongly recommend regular users of the KJV pick it up—especially if you don’t think you need a book like this. Word nerds who looked at any of my examples above and said, “ohhh?” should also get it. Really, anyone interested in the use of the KJV or semantic drift would benefit from this.

Really, it’s a winner all around. Maybe even better than the author meant it to be.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Baker Books via NetGalley—my thanks to both for this. This post contains my honest opinion about a book I chose (and asked) to read.

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.
Irresponsible Reader Pilcrow Icon

The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful by Girolamo Zanchi, translated by Patrick J. O’Banion

By HCNewton

On October 25, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church and Every One of the Faithful

by Girolamo Zanchi, translated by Patrick J. O’Banion

DETAILS:
Publisher: Reformation Heritage Books
Publication Date: November 27, 2021
Format: eBook
Length: 150 pg.
Read Date: October 25, 2026

What’s Spiritual Marriage About?

This is an excurses from Zanchi’s commentary on the book of Ephesians, the only part published during his life (the Translator’s introduction suggests there’s no known reason why this was the part he published). In it, Zanchi sets out to explain the benefits of salvation in Christ through the idea of spiritual marriage.

Whatever is conveyed in various passages of Holy Scripture concerning the church’s origin and her spiritual marriage with the Son of God, the apostle deduces, explains, and confirms from the first creation of humankind, as from a fountain of the mysteries of Christ, when, in the epistle to the Ephesians, chapter 5, he says, “Husbands, love your wives even as Christ loved the church” [v. 25], and so forth.

He does this, primarily, by looking at what Genesis 2 teaches about human marriage (he uses the term “carnal,” without any negative connotations, merely to distinguish from “spiritual”) and then applies that to the marriage between Christ and his Church. And then makes a few applications to human marriage from that, too. But his overwhelming concern is not human marriage—seeming to hold that Western culture has the essence of that down (while noting some areas it could be improved), but that Christians are missing out on the idea of the Spiritual Marriage.

He also uses this to address some problematic Protestant ideas (and one or two Roman Catholic notions)—primarily those of Gnesio-Lutherans (unnamed in the text itself, but the Introduction will prepare the reader to see it).

Zanchi’s Method

First off, this is written in a series of theses—not all of which are that thoroughly worked out. But they’re given enough that you don’t need him to turn every 2-5 sentence paragraph into several paragraphs (although there are more than enough theses that do get a multi-paragraph explanation).

Secondly, Zanchi is incredibly Aristotelian in his approach—both in language and the way he breaks down each topic.

The book covers the topic like this:
Chapter One: The Creation of Eve and Her Marriage to Adam
Chapter Two: The Doctrine of Carnal Marriage
Chapter Three: The Doctrine of Spiritual Marriage
Chapter Four: The Final Causes of the Spiritual Union
Chapter Five: The Duties of the Husband and of the Wife

The final chapter being a mix of applications for the believer in relation to the Church as well as to their own spouse.

So, what did I think about Spiritual Marriage?

I expected this to be a thornier work than it is, expecting to spend a couple of weeks on it, rather than one long afternoon. The use of thesis rather than intricate arguments help with that. But also, Zanchi isn’t going for intricate—he has his points to make and he does so. This doesn’t mean he avoids subtlety, or small ideas—he just deals with them in a direct manner.

The Translator’s Introduction says that Zanchi wasn’t an original thinker—you get no new ideas here. Several that I’ve read before (even without the patristic sources he looks to)—and that’s nice. I’m not saying some original thought would’ve been out of place, but just encapsulating a lot of thought into an easily digestible book is just as valuable sometimes.

I really appreciated the way he made his argument and explained things—some of the language about spousal relations and duties may be off-putting to contemporary readers, but in the historical context of the work—and the Christ-like nature of husbands that he assumes/calls for, it shouldn’t.

This isn’t a work that will shake anyone’s understanding of anything—but I do think his use of the Spiritual Marriage between Christ and His Church will be helpful to understand the nature of salvation and the benefits from it. At least it should serve to refresh one’s understanding and see it in a fresh light.

It’s a helpful work, and a good introduction to a Reformer I’ve seen referenced plenty but had never read before.

Irreplaceable: Humanity, Vocation, and the Limits of Technology by Gene Edward Veith Jr and A Trevor Sutton: Close, but No Cigar

By HCNewton

On October 18, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Irreplaceable:
Humanity, Vocation, and the Limits of Technology

by Gene Edward Veith Jr. and A. Trevor Sutton

DETAILS:
Publisher: Baker Books
Publication Date: October 6, 2026
Format: TEXT
Length:TEXT
Read Date: TEXT

We may be God’s agents, but we also have our own agency. God works through us when we love and serve our neighbors, but we also resist him using the very gifts he has given us to love and serve ourselves, even when that means harming our neighbors. That is to say, we are sinners. We sin in our vocations. And we sin in and through and by means of our technology. In fact, if technology is a medium that extends and strengthens our human powers, it can extend and strengthen our sinfulness as well.

What’s Irreplaceable About?

Essentially, the authors set out to take the Protestant (particularly Lutheran) idea of vocation and apply it to the technology of the mid-2020s. Automation, algorithmic decision making, generative AI, and similar technologies make big promises—but how do they relate to human work, human service, human vocation?

How do we harness technologies as a tool and use them as such, rather than let them displace human workers and diminish them?

Where the Book Succeeds

“Chapter 1: Mediated Work: Our Tools and God’s Tools,” is the best part of the book—and it’s not even close. There’s a lot of wisdom here and it should be meditated on.

A lot of the later chapters about “Technology in ____ Vocations—dealing with work, family, society, church and so on, have a lot to offer as well. Some things that aren’t really worth talking about, too.

The more abstract the book gets, the better it is. It’s when Veith and Sutton try to get their hands dirty and deal with particulars that I find them struggling.

Where the Book Falters

Primarily it’s in what the book doesn’t do or try to address.

“H.C.,” you say, “is that fair? No book can do everything.” This is very true—it can’t and I shouldn’t expect it to. But in a book exploring ethical responses to emerging technology from a Christian perspective, I would like to see some things addressed. The ethics behind the development of this technology—the exploitation of the workers, the theft of intellectual property, the goals and methods of the producers. The impact this technology and its growth can have on the word around us—politically (both in party and governmental senses as well as in what it does to human society) and environmentally. Lastly, the effects it can have on the human mind, not just human vocation.

ChatGPT and the Writing of the Book

Chapter 3 starts with a dialogue between one of the authors and ChatGPT—copied and pasted for our benefit, as an illustration (at least partially). I thought it was interesting—particularly because I thought doing so clashed with a point made later in the chapter.

But I have to think a little—how much more of this book was done aided by it (or a similar product)? While I’d prefer the authors to be able to say straightforwardly “There was no AI involved outside this one illustration,” (or, not at all). I’d really like to read what else they got some help with.

Why did I pick this up?

To say that Gene Veith’s book God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life, was formative for me is to understate it. I can still hear passages and concepts from it as I think through things today. So another book by him related to the idea of vocation? Sign me up without hesitation or forethought. (which is literally how I got this copy, as soon as I saw the title and author, I requested it immediately)

Secondly, I’ve found myself in conversation and books this year about AI/Large Language Models/Generative AI-or whatever you want to call it. Really only one book was a conscious decision to explore it more (I really thought I could dip into things with Doctorow’s book and walk away, rather than getting curious enough to dive deeper)—and thoughts from a Christian who thinks seriously about things (as I assume his co-author did, too), seemed like a good follow-up.

So, what did I think about Irreplaceable?

While the present technological landscape will soon change, God’s plan for human work as a locus for loving our neighbors will remain. While new and difficult questions will arise with each new technological development, God’s callings on our lives and our vocational identities will remain. The more that technology changes the world, the more important it will be to discern God’s work in us and through us and how it has the power to bring about enduring faith, hope, and love.

If I had written this a day or two after finishing the book, I’d have been a lot more positive. But the more I think about it, the more problems and questions I have. So I’d better get this written now, before it becomes a pan, eh? (that was a joke, it’s not pan-worthy).

I do think the book fails to address the AI industry as it actually is, instead presenting it in a way as it’s sold on being and working. Were this book written a few years ago, before the folks at OpenAI had released anything, and instead focused on emerging technologies, social medias, and that sort of thing, I’d be speaking much more positively about it. This it too much about the idea of AI, not the reality as it now is (and seems to be headed).

I don’t need Veith and/or Sutton to be running around like a Chicken Little (even a correct Chicken Little), but I think we should take off the rose-colored glasses for a bit. I did write down a couple of times in my notes, “this is too pie in the sky.” And I probably could’ve done that more.

I like the thoughtfulness of the book. I really did think about some things in a fresher way—and anyone who can invoke the Sewing Riots, the Luddites, and Milton from Office Space within a page or two to build an argument, deserves reading.

We need more books like this, we need more people interacting with Biblical wisdom, insights from the ages past, and contemporary technology—both the doomsayers and the proponents. The conversation started here needs to continue.

Irreplaceable just didn’t deliver everything it should’ve—it took the easy way out on some topics, and skirted others. I think the authors are capable of more, and just didn’t deliver. But, I encourage those curious about addressing the ideas and issues from a conservative Protestant prospective, to pick it up and wrestle with it.

And maybe to come back and tell me where I’m wrong.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program—a book that I requested. However, as always here, the opinions expressed are my own.

Theology for Life: A Joy-Filled Introduction to Christian Doctrine by Ronni Kurtz: Does exactly what it says on the tin

By HCNewton

On October 11, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Theology for Life: A Joy-Filled Introduction to Christian Doctrine

by Ronni Kurtz

DETAILS:
Publisher: Baker Books
Publication Date: September 8, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Length: 256 pg.
Read Date: September 27-October 4, 2026

This book is built on a rather simple conviction: One of the most practical things we can do in the Christian life is get an eyeful of the beauty of the Lord. In a world overflowing with to-do lists and self-help manuals, where pragmatism feels like a gravitational pull, giving sustained attention to the glory of the Lord is among the most preeminent ways to cultivate our souls and shape ourselves as persons.

Contemplating the beauty and glory of the Lord might not feel practical, if by practical we mean helping to meet some utilitarian goal like getting that promotion or being a better whatever. On the contrary, if getting an immediate payoff is the full depth of what it means for something to be useful, then much of theology would be useless. However, if we reconsider what it means for something to be useful and desire more than a shallow behavior or circumstantial modification; if instead we strive for the much more difficult goal of being formed as a person, where we are not merely modified but truly conformed, then what was once “useless” theology will show to be gloriously purposeful.

For example, take the apostle Paul’s instruction for the church in Corinth: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). Notice Paul’s goal for his readers: to be “transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” The image Paul is referencing in this vital verse is none other than the image of Christ. Paul wants the Corinthian Christians to not merely modify a few behaviors or become a better version of themselves. Rather, Paul wants them to be transformed into the image of Christ. What is easy to miss in this passage, however, is that Paul not only gives the Corinthians a goal—to be transformed into the image of Christ—but also tells them the way they will achieve this goal. It is through beholding the glory of the Lord that believers will be transformed into the image of Christ.

What’s Theology for Life About?

To accomplish this—or at least to introduce readers to this lifelong practice—Kurtz examines “ten doctrines and theological ideas” of Christianity, examining them in a way that is approachable—but that might challenge some readers.

After defining and describing them, he looks for some ways (not exhaustively) that these ideas and doctrines will help the reader to behold the glory of the Lord and be transformed in them.

These doctrines/ideas are:

The Trinity
The Divine Attributes
Creation (and not just in a focus on creationism vs. other ideas)
Scripture’s Authority
The Incarnation
Justification
Union with Christ (one could argue that this should come before Justification, but…eh)
Preservation
Ecclesiology
Eschatology

Each item on that list gets about twenty pages—enough to satisfy the reader of an introduction, and enough to make someone want to learn more about some of these—with good footnotes to indicate further reading. I know I added a couple of titles.

Doctrine that Leads to Delight

…in this book, we will turn toward Christian doctrine not just to become better thinkers and theologians but with a particular goal in mind: delight. To put it plainly: Delight is what this book is after, and beholding God in Christian doctrine is the intended means to get us there.

It’s a truism oft repeated, but not oft (enough) seen in practice that good theology leads to doxology. And really, that the latter depends on the former.

Kurtz doesn’t invoke that phrase, but it lives within these pages. Each chapter ends with a section focusing on delighting in the subject—and the whole chapter leads to it. All the theology and discussion of the Scriptures is setting the stage for the idea: how does this lead to delight? How does this lead to worship and joy in my life?

I knew that the book intended to focus on this idea, but I didn’t understand how much it would be bent this way until I dug in. I’d have been more eager to read it if I had.

Preservation: Delighting in Your Security

That’s the title of Chapter 8, and I’m going to pause for a moment on it. I like to focus on a chapter or two per book that really strikes home for me in this type of book. We’ll count the previous section as one of those aspects, and Chapter 8 is the second.

It starts off with a discussion about Preservation of the Saints vs. Perseverence of the Saints, and as I’ve long abandoned any affection for the TULIP, I started to tune out (sorry, Dr. Kurtz). But as he moved on from that into discussion of assurance (or, as he prefers, preservation) in general, I engaged a bit more.

He then begins the “Delighting” section by noting this isn’t an academic doctrine to be argued about.

Rather, the doctrine of preservation of the saints is a doctrine for the pew, for the hospital bed, for desperate prayers, and for the dark nights of the soul. God’s preserving faithfulness ought to be a balm for the weary and life-giving in days of suffering.

He then spends some pages focusing on resting and repenting in light of it, and my notes simply read, “Gold.”

So, what did I think about Theology for Life?

This reminded me, in scope and purpose, of Essentials of Christian Theology, that I read earlier this year. I do think that this is more successful as an introduction—partially because Kurtz didn’t try to do as much as the editors of Essentials did in roughly the same number of pages—but also because of his focus on “Doctrine that Leads to Delight.”

I haven’t focused on the explaining/defining parts too much—Kurtz does a really good job lining out the essentials, showing why it matters and helping his readers to have a good handle on the ideas. As I said above, there’s enough to launch the reader into further reading, too. Solid effort throughout.

But it’s the delighting, the beholding the Lord in such a way that transformation can occur, where this book shines. That’s why we should study theology. Kurtz not only makes the argument, but he shows how to do it. The book is worth your time for this alone.

But it’s worth your time for the rest, too, I should stress.

Basically, this is a book more than worth your time and more than worth the effort in reading (which isn’t that great)

Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program—a book that I requested. However, as always here, the opinions expressed are my own.

The Restoration of All Things by Benjamin Vrbicek: Hope In The End

By HCNewton

On August 23, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Restoration of All Things:
How the Promise of Christ’s Return Brings Us Comfort Today

by Benjamin Vrbicek

DETAILS:
Publisher: Baker Books
Publication Date: June 23, 2026
Format: eARC
Length: 176 pg.
Read Date: July 12-26, 2026

What’s The Restoration of All Things About?

So, I grew up in the shadow of The Late Great Planet Earth, even if the churches my parents attended weren’t big on preaching about eschatology (phew!) Hal Lindsey was the default position. And it terrified me—even as little as I understood. As Larry Norman put it: “Life was filled with guns and war / And everyone got trampled on the floor / Children died, the days grew cold / A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold.” There’s nothing there that sounds appealing. Chick Tracts and related comics about The End didn’t help, either. Frankly, the last thing I wanted was Jesus to return—I knew I was supposed to, but I didn’t want to go through all that.

As I got older, I started to understand that the Scriptures—from both Testaments—didn’t speak that way of The End. Yes, there are some warnings—some stark warnings about it, particularly from our Lord’s mouth. But also, there were all these promises—Earth would be renewed, the groanings of creation would be answered, justice would be established (for the first time post-Fall), suffering would be ended. I’m not talking about some “pie in the sky after you die”—but real change, real restoration on the and of the Earth.

It’s this that Vrbicek writes to remind his readers of. Possibly to inform them of it for the first time—but it largely doesn’t read that way. For those who get weighed down by the world and their circumstances, those who face the end with trepidation for one reason or another (including childhoods—or adulthoods—like mine), Vrbicek wants us to remember that typically, the writers of Scripture point to the End with hope, with confident expectation, even longing—that all things will be restored.

So, what did I think about The Restoration of All Things?

The concluding chapter is called “Loving His Appearing.” This is pretty much the call of the book—to take seriously the warnings, to take even more seriously the promises of Christ, to take seriously the problems and struggles of a world broken by sin—and to love His anticipated return. He’s clear that this should be the goal no matter what one’s eschatology is (although he suggests it’s easier as an amillennial). Then he goes on to give a solid list of reasons to love that appearing.

The book as a whole, is a solid work. Vrbicek isn’t trying to introduce a revolutionary understanding to anything—he’s just trying to blow off a layer or two of tradition and extra-biblical culture of dust off of classic understandings. But more than that, he’s trying to remind his Christian reader of the “main and plain” teachings, to focus on that, rather than to get distracted by the details of this or that eschatological topic. He will return. He will judge. He will restore all things—creating a new heavens and a new Earth for his resurrected people.

It’s that we should long for, should anticipate—should love.

I do think his section on the imprecatory Psalms could use some re-working, if not a reconsideration, it’s just not that convincing of an approach (while better than most, it’s not as good as others). That’s my major criticism of the book as a whole—and if we’re just talking about a few paragraphs, likely a couple of pages at best—that says a lot about the book as a whole, no?

In contrast, the primary thing I appreciated about this book is how Vrbicek kept returning to the Gospel. Reminding us of the heart and character of the Judge. Of the assurances we can draw from the gospel when it comes to considering things like death and the afterlife. To considering our approach to hardship and suffering in this life. And all the other topics. We’re all really good at thinking in terms of X prophecy and how it might be fulfilled, Y promise and what we should anticipate, and so on. But we need reminders like Vrbicek’s to tie X prophecy to the gospel, Y promise to Christ’s work, and so on.

Without resorting to—or slipping into—any type of triumphalism, Vrbicek gives one of the more encouraging books on the future and eschatology I’ve read in a while. The goal isn’t rescue from this life, or to get to heaven—it’s to look with sure hope to the restoration of all things. I recommend you grab this book and enjoy the reminder.

Disclaimer: I received this eARC from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for this post which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.

30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity by Mark W. Graham: Quick Vignettes from the Early Global Church

By HCNewton

On March 1, 2026

In History, Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity:
Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World

by Mark W. Graham

DETAILS:
Publisher: Baker Books
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Format: Paperback
Length: 272 pg.
Read Date: February 15-22, 2026

This emphasis on Our People* across space and time might prompt us to question the extent to which our own national, political, and cultural identities compete with or even overshadow our most foundational (and eternal) identity as Christians. In some important ways, modern American Christians have more in common with Christians from seventh-century Nubia, Persia, and southern Arabia than with agnostic neighbors who share our national flag.

* The term that Graham uses to describe Christians.

What’s 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity About?

This is one of those that’s all in the title and subtitle. Graham, a history professor, looks at thirty moments from various parts of the world during the first millennium that proved to be turning points in Church History—he focuses on movements, teachings, and individuals to bring these “Moments” to life.

Graham’s Method

Each chapter—each “moment”—is considered in three steps:

The Background: historical context, some background leading up to the events in focus, some description of the area/people (as a group and individuals) focused on.
The Moment (or Moments, occasionally): this is the meat of the chapter, the events that the chapter is focusing on—what’s the point of interest in this idea/part of time/chapter.
The Mathēma: while avoiding hagiography or romanticizing the moment, what lesson can we learn by analyzing the moment or seeing what it tells us about us today?

When Graham outlined this in his Introduction, I was sold—if this was going to be how the book went, I was in for the long haul, period. It was, and I really appreciated it. If only so it makes it easy to come back to look at one or two moments for something and get everything you need in that chapter.

The Moments Selected

I’m not overly familiar with the Early Church—and my Medieval Church history is okay. But when I looked over the Table of Contents astounded by how few of the chapter subjects rang any kind of bell for me. I found that a little embarrassing, but it also excited me—I was going to learn a lot.

For example: Constantine turning to Christianity (Chap 8); Arius at Nicea (Chap 10); Justin Martyr (Chap. 2); Perpetua’s martyrdom (Chap 4)—all of those made sense to include, and I was glad to refresh my memory and see how Graham addressed things like that. On the other hand you’ve got: the Church in the Sassanian Persian Empire (Chaps. 6, 11, 13, 19); Nubian Christians twice saving their Church in Sudan (Chap. 21), or Armenia as the first “Christian Nation” (Chap. 7)—I was utterly clueless about these things. Granted, at last 95% of what I know about Sassanian Persia comes from some Fantasy novels from a decade or so ago—so that’s not saying much. But, wow, all of these were just so fascinating. (ditto for all of the chapters not mentioned)

I’m not—by any means—claiming to be any kind of an expert on any of these moments in time now. But I’ve at least been exposed to them, and am intrigued enough to try and track down a deeper history about some of them.

So, what did I think about 30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity?

It’s not a drawback—it’s a feature, but you need to know going in that these chapters are brief and you can’t get meaty history or analysis. 30 moments from 1,000 years in less than 300 pages? Yeah, depth isn’t on the menu. But, to stretch the metaphor, it’s a great tasting.

If you read this in a sitting or two—or just a chapter at a time—you’re going to get rewarded. You’re going to get a good reminder that The Church isn’t just something that happened in the New Testament and in your local congregation. Nor can the history be reduced from New Testament→Early Fathers/Councils/Creeds→long time of nothing important→Protestant Reformation→Late 20th Century Evangelicalism/today.

Our People (I’m really liking that phrase) have been around since The Garden, and we can relate to them, learn from them, and be inspired by them wherever they’re found in time or on the globe. Graham gives an accessible introduction to some outstanding examples of this from the first millennium A.D.

I really hope there’s a sequel covering the next 1,000 years or another 30 from that same period. I’d rush to get it. In the meantime, I heartily encourage you to go pick this up.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, I read this book because it interested me, and the opinions expressed are my own.

The Culture of God’s Word by Harold L. Senkbeil & Lucas V. Woodford: Doing Things the Acts Way

By HCNewton

On February 22, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

The Culture of God’s Word:
Faithful Ministry in a Post-Christian Society

by Harold L Senkbei, read by Lucas V Woodford

DETAILS:
Publisher: Lexham Press
Publication Date: February 18, 2026
Format: Hardcover
Length: 176 pg.
Read Date: February 1, 2026

What do we mean by “culture of the word”? The culture of the word encompasses this kind of compassionate understanding, while acculturating individuals from distinctively different identities and customs into one overarching transcendent culture of the church universal and eternal. Paul’s compassionate and considerate approach to gospel proclamation shows how to best foster the culture of the word. But there’s no need to compromise Christian ethos or teaching to gain a hearing within a given subculture and grow the culture of the word.

What’s The Culture of God’s Word About?

The authors describe their starting point pretty clearly right from the start:

The book of Acts is a practical guide to mission in every generation. It shows how the first Christians were driven not by their cultural context but by the word of Christ to change the hearts and lives of people living very much in the world, yet not of it. They weren’t seeking to convert cultures but people who lived in various cultures.

Faithful mission in a chaotic world builds on this New Testament template; people in every context—every nation, tribe, and language—should be acculturated by the word of Christ. For two millennia Christians have held that the church cultivates its own transcendent culture in a rapidly shifting social context—the culture of the word.

In a culture that is safely described as post-Christendom*, their argument is simple: go back to the way that the book of Acts describes evangelism and church life. Don’t try to ape the world, adapt the Christian message to passing cultural trends, embrace the world’s values, etc. Just do what the Church and her leaders did in an equally non-Christian culture.

They spend about five chapters making the case for the reasoning behind that and what it should look like, and then wrap it up with a chapter on applying that.

* However you want to define that.

Chapters 1-5

These chapters focus on developing the above quotation. Here’s the list:
1 The Church Is Created by the Word of God
2 The Church Lives in One Transcendent Culture
3 The Church Proclaims Christ Jesus
4 The Church’s Worship Transcends Cultural Context
5 The Church Lives in the World, Not of the World

That pretty much shows you how they go about building the case—again, focusing their examples and illustrations from Acts.

Not too surprisingly, chapter 4 was the highlight of these chapters for me—I’m a sucker for a good chapter on worship. I did have some quibbles with a few things in it—but I assume that’s because I’m wrong about something they argued. Overall, it’s probably worth half the price of the book.

The Church Grows from the Culture of the Word

To faithfully grow the culture of the word there were four areas of good soil the New Testament church chose as places in which to sow the word: worship, catechesis, hospitality, and vocation. These areas remain vital to the church and must be engaged to ensure the seed is sown robustly.

That’s from the first page of Chapter 6 (that shares a title with the section heading above), and it made me instantly think of Stephen O. Presley’s Cultural Sanctification: Engaging the World like the Early Church—a book that makes the same argument (essentially) as this one, but it leans primarily on the first few centuries of the Church, rather than the inspired history of the first few decades after Pentecost.

Focusing on “worship, catechesis, hospitality, and vocation,” the authors apply the previous chapters and call ministers to work in these areas. I thought it was a wonderful and needed conclusion to the book.

So, what did I think about The Culture of God’s Word?

The task of mission and evangelization in our neo-pagan world today is exactly as it was in the pagan world of the first apostles and evangelists: to rescue and to save people by the word of the gospel accompanied by deeds of love. The culture of this word brings renewal and hope because God’s word always does what it says. The word of Christ Jesus crucified and risen heals holistically: it erases guilt, eradicates shame, and mends illnesses of both body and soul.

Now, I’m not a minister, and this book is written primarily for them—so take what I say with a larger grain of salt than you typically would. I do think that the laity can and should read books written for those who are (or are about to be) ordained to ministry—if only so we know what standards to hold them to. But still, this book wasn’t written for someone like me.

I do think I’d have gotten more out of it if I were one. But that doesn’t take away from all the things I appreciated about the book. I don’t know if it’s really all that revolutionary or unique in its outlook. This doesn’t take away from the book either—it just means that these authors find themselves in good company. If you find yourself thinking about the Presley book, or The Core of the Christian Faith by Michael W. Goheen (or other books by Goheen), or other books along those lines—don’t be surprised.

That said, it’s a short, punchy read that accomplishes what other books do in fewer pages. It could be seen as a refresher on them, or a solid introduction to this kind of thinking for those new to it.

I found myself nodding a lot, appreciating the wisdom, and making notes to talk about certain ideas with others.

I heartily encourage others to pick it up—you won’t regret it.

Slow Theology by A J Swoboda, Nijay K Gupta: No Quick Fixes. Just Wisdom.

By HCNewton

On January 24, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

I don’t normally publish review-ish posts on Saturday, but I have a deadline—and after weeks of trying, I have a draft I can live with (deadlines are my friend). So, hope you don’t mind this out-of-place post.

Slow Theology:
Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World

by A J Swoboda/Nijay K Gupta

DETAILS:
Publisher: Brazos Press
Publication Date: September 23, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 208 pg.
Read Date: January 4-11, 2026

Wouldn’t it be great if we were simply given simple and immediate answers to all our questions? Lord knows, it certainly would make all our lives easier if God sent us a quick note the way a friend would send us a text message. But the deepest questions do not necessarily deserve quick answers. In fact, the quick answer very well may cheapen the sacredness of a holy question. Moments like these—when we seek to understand as best we can the theological conundrums that Christians have been meditating on for centuries—actually demand from time to time that we resist the temptation to offer quick answers and shallow hot takes. Deep questions deserve deep responses, which require lots of time, energy, and toil. Sometimes, deep Christian formation is possible only when we embrace the unanswerable. To try to solve a question that has been wrestled with for thousands of years with a short tweet, YouTube clip, or pithy bumper sticker is the most dangerous and flippant of responses.

Not every question that we may ask about God can come back to us as a neat and tidy package with a pretty bow on top. We believe that the importance of creating space for unanswered or unresolved questions is modeled by the inspired Scriptures.

What’s Slow Theology About?

We live in a hurried world, where untold information is at our fingertips (and the amount of it grows all the time), rushed “hot takes,” we demand answers—fast—and seem to receive them on all subjects at all hours, we want instant results from exercise/financial investments/diets/self-improvement schemes. This is the atmosphere we in the West are immersed in, believe in, and live by. Quick Fixes, Fast Solutions.

But the Bible doesn’t tell us to be that way—particularly when it comes to our understanding of God, His revelation, or our sanctification. Instead, we’re told to patiently slow down, persevere, listen, and think.

The authors give us eight practices—practices, not disciplines, not steps, not a “just add water” approach—to help build this into our lives, minds, and hearts.

They include: taking a long view of faith, applying the Sabbath to our theology, talking to God through our difficulties, believing with the Body of believers, appreciating mystery, and perseverance.

That’s probably an oversimplification of the book—but if I don’t oversimplify, you’re going to get a novella-length summary. And neither of us has time for that (especially when we could be reading/re-reading/chewing on this book instead)

Highlights

My practice with Non-Fiction books is to talk about the parts of the book that I found particularly helpful, informative, or whatever. In keeping with that practice, I should note Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapt—yeah, that’s just not going to help. This book started off strong and went from strength to strength.

But there were a couple of things that really stood out to me. There’s a good section on Asaph and Psalm 73. I admit to a little bias there—ever since a sermon series my pastor delivered in the 90s, the psalms by Asaph and his sons have been my favorite. But I think this section on Psalm 73, and the honest and faithful way Asaph dealt with challenges would’ve stood out to me regardless. Things don’t all work out for Asaph in this psalm, but he knows his God is with him as he works through them.

I’d also point out the section on lament. I’ve pointed to books discussing it well a few times in the past (I’m sure, don’t ask for examples), and here’s another one worth turning to time and again. The authors focus on Jesus and David in this exhortation, and it struck home to me. In response to so much of the news lately—this is a practice I fear we’re going to need to focus on.

There is a wise saying that gets passed around: “To cry is human. But to lament is Christian.” Lament is the biblical practice that we have been given to process our hurt and anger with God and not just against God. Lament actually invites us to be openly upset with God, not to push him away but to invite him to respond. Not long after Jesus questioned the presence of God, he was raised from death to life. Lament, in the end, is hope-filled desperation.

Drawbacks

I’m sure there are some. I didn’t take note of them on an initial read. Hit me up after a few re-reads, if you’re dying to hear about any quibbles.

So, what did I think about Slow Theology?

You ever read one of those books, and by the time you’re mid-way through, you just know that it’s going to be living in your head for the rest of the year or so? That was the case with this one by Chapter Two. Nothing happened to change my appreciation after that. This is going to be one of those books I’m going to be bouncing off of for at least 12 months.

I should say that I’ve never listened to the podcast by the authors with the same title. I probably should start.

This is a book full of wisdom. It’s something to chew on—meditate on—to come back to and reason with. This shouldn’t be something read once and discarded, thinking you’ve got it down cold. It’s not about information or answers, it’s about practice. (mentally insert the Heidelcast’s riff on the “Not a game, not a game. It’s about practice” quotation here, if you know what I’m talking about)

I strongly encourage you, reader, to pick this one up. I think you’ll be rewarded.

Essentials of Christian Theology edited by Nathan D Holsteen and Michael J Svigel: A Solid Attempt at Doing Too Much in a Small Package

By HCNewton

On January 22, 2026

In Non-Fiction, Theology/Christian Living

Essentials of Christian Theology:
Foundations of the Christian Faith

by Nathan D. Holsteen, read by Michael J. Svigel

DETAILS:
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: November 18, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 304 pg.
Read Date: January 12-18, 2026

What’s Essentials of Christian Theology About?

About a decade ago, these editors edited a trilogy called Exploring Christian Theology. It seems to be written by Dallas Theological Seminary faculty (I didn’t spend a lot of time looking, so I’m not going to state it strongly).

Now, the editors have taken that set and compressed it into one volume, covering Scripture, The Trinity, Humanity and the Fall, Salvation, The Church, and Eschatology. The emphasis is on the areas of agreement throughout Evangelicalism (and beyond, when possible), and points to some areas of controversy.

Each chapter also contains the following elements:

“In Short…” provides brief surveys of each doctrine with points of unity and diversity.

“Passages to Ponder” explains key Scriptures related to each doctrine.

“Realities to Remember” presents the foundational truths for each doctrine.

“Errors to Avoid” exposes false teachings associated with the doctrine.

“Lessons to Live” explores practical implications and applications for each doctrine.

“Snapshot of History” summarizes the history and development of each doctrine.

So, what did I think about Essentials of Christian Theology?

So, I clicked the wrong button when picking some books for Baker’s Review Program, and didn’t intend to get this book. I didn’t have any active disinterest (or worse), I just didn’t expect this to be for me—I’ve read enough of Svigel online to know that our traditions are enough that I’d have plenty of quibbles (at best) with this. Also, the last thing I was in the mood for is another survey of the essentials of the Faith—I’ve just read too many in the last few years.

But this was in the box, so I gave it a shot. And…it wasn’t bad. It’s not the kind of thing I’m going to be handing out to anyone—but I’m not going to pan this. There’s a lot of good here—just not enough.

My biggest issue doesn’t actually come from the areas I disagree with—it’s just that it’s too shallow. It’s to be expected—it’s about one-third as long as the series it’s based on. So, right there, a lot is going to be missing. Also, and this reminds me of the Christian Essentials set I talked about a few years ago—it’s trying too hard to be something for everyone. It’s a noble ideal, but you can’t do justice to the swath of American Evangelicalism’s (sadly present) diversity in a few pages.

The editors clearly tried their best, but it’s too hard—you come out with something that’s just too shallow. I’d have preferred a stronger Dallas Theological Seminary perspective that I’d have stronger issues with than a watered-down take. I do have some questions about how they present some historical perspectives, and some theological points—but the text is vague enough that I can’t be bothered to talk about them.

Well, except for the Eschatology chapter—which is to be expected. But I went into it, expecting something a DTS-flavored eschatology. But I don’t think they did a good job of representing amillennialism or postmillennialism—and I’m not crazy about the limited perspective they have of Eschatology’s place in Christian Theology. But as far as the position they were most interested in advancing and describing? It was just bland and not particularly compelling. Like just about everything else.

I thought the sections on the Trinity were helpful, and I had no great exceptions to the rest of the book. I also didn’t feel challenged or pressed to look into anything more. I didn’t expect that, but I was hoping.

This is a perfectly fine book. But it could’ve been stronger if they’d narrowed the audience they hoped to reach. I wouldn’t discourage anyone from buying it or reading it—in fact, I know a few people who’d probably appreciate it. I just think you could do better. I imagine the Exploring Christian Theology trilogy that served as a basis for this book would be one place.

Disclaimer: I received this book as a participant in the Baker Publishing Group Nonfiction Reviewer Program. However, as always here, opinions expressed are my own.

My Favorite Theology/Christian Living Books of 2025

By HCNewton

On January 11, 2026

In News/Misc., Theology/Christian Living

It’s finally time to wrap these lists, with my favorites in Theology and Christian Living (and related things). There’s some overlap in some of these titles, which just shows what kinds of things I was thinking about this year, I guess. I didn’t read as many books along these lines as I expected to/usually do–mostly because the ones I did read took some work to get through (and I had too many “project reads”). But these would’ve floated to the top in any year.

As always, re-reads don’t count for these lists.

(in alphabetical order by author)

Wisdom for Life: 52 Old Testament Meditations

by Michael P. V. Barrett

Barrett writes brief devotional meditations on some Old Testament passages (I’m not sure how brief because I read electronically, but they didn’t take terribly long to read). Which is good enough for a book–but Barrett writes with a depth that I don’t think I’ve come across in a devotional before. He gets to the heart and the nitty-gritty of the passages he looks at–and writes in a way that the reader will find application for their life, understanding of the passage, and a new/renewed reason to worship and serve the One who bought them.

The only thing that impressed me–almost every week–as much as the content was Barret’s ability to accomplish it so briefly.

Walking the Way of the Wise: A Biblical Theology of Wisdom

by Mitchell L. Chase

My original post
I personally benefited from Chase’s definition of “wisdom” and how to find it in Scripture. I really appreciated his unwillingness to make Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, and James the epicenter of his discussion, but to look for it throughout the Scriptures (see above). Tackling the topic of wisdom from a Redemptive Historical point of view rather than a Systematic perspective (which is what I’m used to, as I expect most are), really helped me to see the breadth of it—and even to help with my Systematic understanding of it (as it should).

All in all, this is a truly helpful and insightful read.

The Anti-Greed Gospel:
Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward

by Malcolm Foley

I’ve tried on at least four occasions to write a post about this book, and keep failing. I’m going to keep trying, but in the meantime, I’ll just say that this is one of the best books I read in 2025 regardless of genre/topic. Foley starts with Ida Wells’ point tying racism to money, and expands on that. He traces the connection between the love of money (which we know to be the root of all sorts of evil) and racism/racism-friendly policies and attitudes throughout U.S. History–particularly after the Civil War. And how the Church, to her shame, participates in those.

Then he points the way forward–using a variety of theological tools. Including the Westminster Larger Catechism’s teaching on the Eighth Commandment. It’s inspiring, it’s convicting, it’s full of hope.

Becoming God’s Family: Why the Church Still Matters

by Carmen Joy Imes

My original post
Is this the most rigorous, robust work that I’ve ever read on The Church? No. Is this the most technical, theological work I’ve come across? No. Did this take a lot of effort to get through? No (and what a relief). Is this perhaps the most passionate work on the subject I’ve read? Yes. Is it perhaps the most persuasive about the need for individual believers (particularly in an individualist culture) to be involved with the Church? Also, yes.

It’s warm, it’s approachable, it’s learned in a non-off-putting way. Imes is a great guide through the topic and a fun companion through the stroll. She pointed out some things I hadn’t thought of before—and helped me grasp a couple of texts that I’ve struggled with for years.

Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer

by C. S. Lewis

There’s a lot of this book that I disagree with–but I appreciate the way that Lewis got to his conclusions. I also admit that Lewis might be closer to right than I am on those points. But the opening letter on prayer is one of the best things I’ve read on the topic, and while the rest of the book doesn’t reach those heights, I truly enjoyed and benefited from considering them. This is one of those books by him I hadn’t gotten around to reading in the past until my little Lewis-immersion project last year. It won’t be the last time.

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism

by Zacharias Ursinus

As this is written by one of the chief authors of the Heidelberg Catechism, it’s impossible to get a more authoritative take on it. This is essentially the director’s cut of the catechism. Sure, we all know the answers, but how’d you get to that answer? Well, you think like so….

This is a treasure for anyone trying to understand and use the Heidelberg Catechism for personal use or for trying to raise the generation to follow.

The Canvas of Creation: A Biblical Response to the Heresy of Racial Superiority

by Drew Poplin

My original post
I hate the fact that books decrying the sin (or, in Poplin’s argument, heresy) of racism need to be written now. But the need for them is pretty clear to anyone in the American Church. This brief (perhaps too brief) book is a compelling read, calling racism what it is, an attack on God and His creation. Convicting, and hopefully convincing. It’s well worth the time to read.

Christ of Consummation: The Testimony of Acts and Paul

by O. Palmer Robertson

Did this floor me as much as the first volume of this set (on the Gospels) did? Nope. But am I going to study Acts or Paul’s letters without consulting this in the future? Bigger nope. Robertson first traces the development of revelation and the Church’s understanding of it through Acts, then he spends the bulk of the book watching Paul’s themes develop and change over the course of his career–never contradictory, never inconsistent, but starting with certain emphases that develop into new ones given the events of his life and the needs of the Church throughout the First Century. It’s really a handy book to work through and to keep on hand for future use.

Did Jesus Really Say He Was God?: Making Sense of His Historical Claims

by Mikel Del Rosario

My original post
Del Rosario’s approach to the subject alone could put him on this list–let’s take an in-depth look at two passages and see what Jesus is claiming for himself in both. Let’s consider what the original audience heard–and seek to understand that by the way they reacted. Then let’s consider the implications of both. Del Rosario writes clearly and compellingly. The text—even when it gets technical—is straightforward and approachable by people who aren’t historical scholars.

Not only does reading this help buttress the confidence a reader has in the passage and Jesus’ claims in them, but Del Rosario gives his readers a model to follow when they come across similar passages.

The Ten Commandments

by Cornelius Van Til

My original post
This is some pretty clear writing from a man widely considered not to be terribly clear all the time. Some of the commandments don’t get the same level of attention as others–and it makes sense given who Van Til is and his own driving focus.

It’s a very sound introduction, in line with the bulk of the Reformed stream of thought on the Law and its usage from the time of the Reformation forward. But a little more approachable given the length and the fact it was written in the 20th Century.