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The Lantern and the Night Moths, Edited and Translated by Yilin Wang: A Remarkable Reading Experience

On November 25, 2025

The Lantern and the Night Moths

edited and translated by Yilin Wang

DETAILS:
Publisher: Invisible Publishing
Publication Date: April 2, 2024
Format: Paperback
Length: 101 pg.
Read Date: November 21, 2025

What’s the Publisher’s Description of The Lantern and the Night Moths?

“the lantern light seems to have written a poem;
they feel lonesome since i won’t read them.”
—“lantern” by Fei Ming

The work of Tang Dynasty Classical Chinese poets such as Li Bai, Du Fu, and Wang Wei has long been celebrated in both China and internationally, and various English translations and mistranslations of their work played a pivotal yet often unacknowledged role in shaping the emergence and evolution of modern Anglophone poetry.

In The Lantern and the Night Moths, Chinese diaspora poet-translator Yilin Wang has selected and translated poems by five of China’s most innovative modern and contemporary poets: Qiu Jin, Fei Ming, Dai Wangshu, Zhang Qiaohui, and Xiao Xi. Expanding on and subverting the long lineage of Classical Chinese poetry that precedes them, their work can be read collectively as a series of ars poeticas for modern Sinophone poetry.

Wang’s translations are featured alongside the original Chinese texts, and accompanied by Wang’s personal essays reflecting on the art, craft, and labour of poetry translation. Together, these poems and essays chart the development of a myriad of modernist poetry traditions in China that parallel, diverge from, and sometimes intersect with their Anglophone and Western counterparts.

The Poetry

There’s 28 poems (I think, I counted quickly) in this collection. Five of them I resonated with and really enjoyed—well, maybe four of them. But I “got” five. The rest of them? Not so much.

That’s not to say they were bad—most of them I thought were great for 50-66% of the stanzas, and then the rest just felt like a different poem. Many of the other half/third were pretty good, too. I just didn’t get what they have to do with the other stanza(s). I have to say that I found that incredibly frustrating.

Chinese poetry shouldn’t work like Western poetry—I wouldn’t want it to. I want it to seem strange—and these succeeded in that. But (beyond the bits I didn’t get), the collection and individual poems felt more “other” than I anticipated, which struck me as a positive and a negative.

The Essays

The first couple of these were a lot more personal than I assumed they’d be, given the description of the book. I found that a little off-putting, to be honest. The first essay, in fact, made me wonder how much Wang was translating and how much she was trying to do something else—maybe even paraphrasing.

But the latter essays clicked with me, and I really appreciated Wang describing some of her choices, some alternative ways she could’ve translated something, and why she opted for the direction she did. I learned a lot and appreciated the practically-impossible task she took on by translating these poems.

So, what did I think about The Lantern and the Night Moths?

This is not going to go down as one of my favorite poetry collections, period. I do think I would return to four of these poems (and yes, I have a list for future use).

That said, this was simply fascinating as an experience—to read a poem (and to look at the Chinese original and boggle at how those characters become the English versions) and then to read about the impact they made on this poet/translator and some of the choices made to get it into a format that English readers can appreciate. It’s something I know I’m not going to see often (if ever).

People more in tune with translation, poetry, or Chinese culture will appreciate and enjoy this more than I did. But I’m so glad that I read this—and that Shannon Knight recommended it to me. The reading of this book is an experience that I relished.

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.
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Walking the Way of the Wise by Mitchell L. Chase: The Walk of Life

By HCNewton

On July 27, 2025

In Uncategorized

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

by Mitchell L. Chase

DETAILS:
Series: Essential Studies in Biblical Theology
Publisher: IVP Academic
Publication Date: June 3, 2025
Format: Paperback
Length: 162 pg,
Read Date: June 15-22, 2025

Wisdom in the biblical sense is more than street smarts. It is more than cleverness on a particular field, Biblical wisdom is the result of living in glad submission to God’s Word in God’s world. Biblical wisdom is believing what God has revealed and seeking to live in light of it.

What’s Walking the Way of the Wise About?

This is an attempt to show a biblical theology of wisdom—focusing on how the various genres “showcase” or tell (as well as show) an understanding of the concept.

This will incorporate various elements of the revelation throughout Scripture, showing how they contribute to an understanding along a salvation-historical trajectory.

It’ll be easier to let Chase describe this:

Chapter 1 roots us in the early chapters of Scripture, where the seeds—and even a tree—of wisdom are found. Chapter 2 discusses the story and person of Job, since I think his life was very early in biblical history. With chapters 3 and 4, we follow the stories and steps of Abraham and his descendants—the Israelites. In chapter 5 we see the rise of David and we hear his songs, his psalms. The shadow of Solomon looms over chapters 6,7, and 8, as we reflect on his life and on the books of Proverbs, the Song of Songs, and Ecclesiastes. Our exploration of wisdom in the Old Testament concludes with chapter 9, where we follow the Israelites into exile, which is where folly takes its disciples. Chapter 10 directs our attention to the incarnation and ministry of Jesus, the true and greater Solomon. In chapter 11 we consider the importance of walking wisely as Christ’s people, for the days are evil. And finally, in chapter 12, we cast our eyes toward the end of the wise road—the way that leads to life and blessing, the life we were made and saved for.

This salvation-historical trajectory will help us situate Scriptures teaching about wisdom in light of the big story of Scripture itself. With a canonical perspective on wisdom, we will see the various ways that the biblical authors instruct us about this topic. And we will more fully appreciate how they summon us to join the blessed and joyful saints who are walking the way of the wise.

Proverbs/Ecclesiastes

An interpretive danger to avoid when reading through Proverbs expecting earthly fulfillment of these promises in an absolutizing sense, as if life were not complicated and inexplicable things did not happen. Do the righteous not suffer? Do the wicked not sometimes prosper? Do people who walk with integrity not still face obstacles? Do the wise not sometimes die young? Do the wicked sometimes not seem to get away with their schemes and escape consequences? Consider the earthly ministry of Jesus. The wicked came against him with conspiracy and intrigue. He, the holy and righteous one, was killed. His vindication occurred through his bodily resurrection—a kind of resurrection that comprises our hope when Jesus returns.

We can affirm two things: the book of Proverbs is true, and life is complicated. The proverbs are statements about how life typically works.

The book of Ecclesiastes does not exactly feel like a warm hug. It is more like a splash of cold water to the face. But if you are being lulled to sleep when you need to be alert and sober-minded, a splash of cold water can be a pift, a lifesaver.

If we are going to be wise, we have to welcome uncomfortable truths, We have to be willing to sit with difficult realities, such as unanswered questions, the futility of work, and the inevitability of death. One manifestation of folly is the resistance to dealing with reality. Foolishness does not want to acknowledge the way things are. So, when the writer is helping readers grow wise, he gives a heavy dose of what life is like in a fallen world.

It’s probably cheating to find some of the best material in this book to be from Chase’s discussion of the OT Wisdom Books, but it’s also not surprising that he’d be able to get much of his material from Proverbs and Ecclesiastes (as well as other books in the genre).

Many people—including people I typically think of as worth paying attention to, will take Proverbs and apply it without nuance or real understanding of life being complicated. This not only does a disservice to the reality we all see every day, but it also fails to understand the book properly. Obviously, in the few pages Chase can give to the book, we’re not going to be able to get a full understanding of the book—or of what it tells us about wisdom/wise living. That said, what he does help the reader to understand will help the reader to tackle the book on their own—at least to know better than trying to see the book as a straightforward look at life.

The same can be said for Ecclesiastes—not that nearly as many people will try to take a reductionistic approach to the book—and those who do will typically see it as a dark, mysterious, and maybe cynical/hopeless look at the world. Chase shows that the answer is not as simple as that.

Other Highlights

I truly appreciated the way he discussed the whole of Job—obviously not in a lot of depth, he only had 11 pages for it. But he starts off by showing that the book is not just about Job’s suffering in faith—but that the crux of the book is a discussion of wisdom and its source being God.

Another highlight for me was seeing the Pentateuch—particularly Deuteronomy—serving as the background for so much of the book of Proverbs. It’s easy to see the book as a semi-random collection of couplets and droplets of good advice. But if you see it as the work of a father carrying out the instructions in Deuteronomy to explain and apply the Pentateuch to his children (for example, but not limited to that)—it takes on a new life and vitality.

But the biggest highlight for me—and there were many—is Chapter Eleven, “Walking Wisely in Evil Days.” This chapter covers the Christian Life (essentially), drawing on the Pauline and General Epistles. The second section of that chapter, “Growing in Wisdom in Christ,” contains the best two pages of the book. Obviously, you need more of the book to get everything he’s saying there—but if you only read two pages of the book, those should be it.

So, what did I think about Walking the Way of the Wise?

Wisdom is not merely hearing. Wisdom is hearing with a readiness to obey. The Lord lavs out a myriad of commands while the nation gathers at the base of Mount Sinai, and the wise response is the embrace of and submission to these commands. There is a relationship between wisdom and God’s law. God’s commands are for the good of his people as he directs them in true worship and holy living. Wisdom, like God’s laws, is for our good. Wisdom orients our lives toward God and neighbor in ways that are honorable. While it may be too simplistic to say that God’s laws and wisdom are identical, we can certainly affirm that God’s laws are an example of wisdom. His laws are wise and direct his people wisely.

I’m glad to see this series back, with a new editor* and second-phase in its focus. If nothing else, both of those promise more volumes to come—and they’ll likely to be as valuable as their initial counterparts.

It’s frequently the case, but it seems to be more the case with this book than usual. The footnotes could serve as a TBR for several months’ reading. I’ve added a few books to my list (and could’ve easily doubled that number).

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, and I commend it to you.

* I have no complaints about Dr. Gladd’s time on the series, was just noting the new general editor.

4 Stars

Why Haven’t I Replied to Your Comment(s)?/Why Do I Take Days/Weeks to do So?

By HCNewton

On May 21, 2025

In Uncategorized

That’s a fantastic question–and one I ask myself often. Particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays when I receive the most comments.

The reasons are multi-faceted, but rooted in distraction. (actually, my daughter has been trying to convince me that I have some sort of undiagnosed Attention-Deficit Disorder, and there might be something to it)

1. I thought I did.
2. I started to and a metaphorical squirrel popped-up in front of me (a dog, a grandchild, my wife saying something, an email/text)
3. I forgot to check the comments.
4. Poor time management (when I’m not at work)
5. Worse organization skills (ditto)
6. I’m super-busy and or tired, and things like being polite and attentive to readers falls off my radar.
7. There is NOOOOO reason 7.
8. I desperately want to, but I’m trapped under something heavy.

I do actually read them all within minutes of getting a notification (even when I tell myself I should wait until I have time to respond), and I generally mentally compose a response that I can’t make until later in the day. This is a significant problem leading to Number 1 above. I really do think I did respond in a timely fashion. Then I realize I didn’t when I’m back in a situation where I can’t. And then the guilt ferrets come.

I’m not saying I’ll do better–but I’m trying. But now you might understand.

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The Ten Commandments by Cornelius Van Til: A Brief Look at the Law

By HCNewton

On May 4, 2025

In Uncategorized

The Ten Commandments

by Cornelius Van Til

DETAILS:
Publisher: Cantaro Publications
Publication Date: January 1, 2024
Format: Paperback
Length: 204 pg.
Read Date: February 9, 2025

What’s The Ten Commandments About?

Well, as the title suggests, it’s about The Ten Commandments–it’s an exposition of them, and a brief explanation of what the Moral Law is and how it functions by Cornelius Van Til, who taught the course on Christian Ethics at Westminster Theological Seminary in its early days.

Like many of his works, until this edition, it was unpublished. It’s the curriculum from that class, really. It’s as close to attending Van Til’s course as we’re going to get.

We get one chapter on the nature and use of the Law in the Christian life (and throughout Scripture) and then a (generally) brief chapter on each commandment.

Miscellaneous Observations

There are a handful of things that an academic reviewer would spend time on, or if I wanted to get into his arguments, I would devote paragraphs to. But I’m not, so I’m just going to list off thoughts I had along the way:

bullet When it comes to the First Commandment (leading to a discussion of God’s existence and atheism) and the Third Commandment (God’s self-revelation via His name and other means), Van Til the apologist comes to the fore. He spends a disproportionate amount of time on these two–I’m not complaining, I’m simply noting. Any students who took his Ethics class before Apologetics (assuming that was possible) probably had a leg up on those who went right into Apologetics.
bullet His discussion of the 4th (Sabbath) didn’t lead to as many specific practical applications as I was hoping (if only for curiosity’s sake, I wanted to see his take on some things). But pound-for-pound one of the best brief discussions on the day change, external vs. internal/spiritual observance of the day.
bullet I really appreciated his discussion of the Sixth Commandment (Human Life), we need more like it.
bullet It boggled my mind that he saw the necessity of labor unions and protests–in a fallen world, such things are necessary for protection against the fallibility of our fellow man. (I think I agree with him, just didn’t expect it from him)
bullet His discussion of the 9th Commandment (Truth) didn’t get take the apologetic turn that I expected (although it’s there), and was helpful–but I could’ve used more.
bullet The chapter on the 10th Commandment (Contentment) was too brief, but what was there was excellent.

So, what did I think about The Ten Commandments?

It wasn’t bad–it was pretty good, actually. I had hoped for a little more depth–and I got it occasionally, but not as often as I’d hoped.

It’s also pretty clear and easy to understand–this is a great bonus. Van Til enjoys (even among his most ardent of supporters/students) the reputation for not being a very clear writer. But I didn’t get a trace of that here.

This is a slightly uneven, but helpful and sound introduction to and overview of the Ten Commandments and their use in the Christian life. It’s in line with what you’d find in Calvin, Turretin, Hodge, and the like. Maybe a little more accessible because it was written in the early 20th Century.

3.5 Stars
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.
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Programming Note/Reminder & Encouragement

By HCNewton

On April 26, 2025

In Uncategorized

This is one of those rare Saturdays where I don’t know when I can assemble the Miscellany for the day, but it is coming.

One of the reasons that I’ll be away from my keyboard is that it’s the last Saturday in April–known to many of us as Independent Bookstore Day. This is the 12th of these events, and I’m willing to bet that one near you is celebrating (it’s one of the bigger sales days for them–so I think they’ll be celebrating in more than one sense).

If you can’t make it outside (which is understandable and relatable)–head over to bookshop.org, where a portion of the sales go to a bookstore of your choice. I typically suggest using my affilate site, but today, I urge you to pick your favorite local store (or, you can go with Shared Stories if you wanted to help mine if you don’t have one). Also, they apparently have free shipping this weekend!

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2024 Holiday MegaSale: Do Some Good and Get Some Great Reads

By HCNewton

On December 26, 2024

In Uncategorized

More than 300 authors, more than 600 Books for Free or less than a Dollar/Pound. Each author is going to contribute to a charity for each book picked up. This particular charity is the Mary Cariola Center, which “serves hundreds of children and young adults each year through academic, residential, and community outreach programs. Mary Cariola’s highly skilled staff is unparalleled in their commitment to working with youth with disabilities and includes some of the finest special education teachers, therapists, nurses, and social workers in New York.” Exactly the kind of thing the world needs more of.

The list of books contains some that I’ve featured here and said very nice things about, a few books that I’ve read and haven’t made time to say nice things about, some books that are gathering dust on my eBook shelf, some books I’ve been meaning to buy (to start gathering dust), and a whole lotta books I haven’t heard of yet and probably should have on a list somewhere.

I’d point out some that I think you should be sure to check out, but I’d forget at least one book/author–probably a few–and then I’d feel really bad. So, go read the whole list yourself (it will take a bit, so give yourself some time). Then go buy some books/grab some for free, or just chip in directly to the Mary Cariola Center. Even better, do all of the above.

If you want to suggest something in particular that I check out from the sale–be sure to let me know (unless it’s your own book, that seems tacky)

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OTD: Fer-de-Lance by Rex Stout First Published in 1934

By HCNewton

On October 24, 2024

In Uncategorized

As this is the 90th anniversary of Fer-de-Lance‘s publication, I should’ve planned ahead and done something big. But life intervened (as it so often does). Maybe I’ll get my act together for 95–or 100. In the meantime, this slight reworking of a post from a couple of years ago should do the trick.
Fer-de-Lance 1st Edition Cover
On October 24, 1934 Rex Stout’s first Nero Wolfe novel, Fer-de-Lance was published and history was made–no one knew it at the time, of course, especially not Stout. He’d tried a variety of other novels before, but hadn’t found much success with them, but he hit pay dirt with this one. He’d try related and similar works in the years to come, but they weren’t as successful as these and soon he just stayed with the characters he introduced in this novel.

This series influenced other series, later writers, and a few stories/series that are inspired by it. There’ve been a handful of movies and TV series based on the books, too (and a radio series, now that I think about it). And most importantly, it’s become a beloved part of the lives and bookshelves of devoted fans around the world. I’m one of them…the impact these characters, these stories, and the author have had on me cannot be overstated (for good or ill). I’m not alone here.

And it all started with this book 90 years ago.

A year or two before I started this blog, I re-read the series, here’s what I wrote about the novel back then.

Rex Stout’s Fer-de-Lance is the first of 40+ books (novels or short story collections) featuring the exploits of private investigator Archie Goodwin (2 parts Huck Finn, 1 part Philip Marlowe) and his eccentric employer, Nero Wolfe (1 part Sherlock Holmes, 1 part Mycroft Holmes)—yes, I am one of those who think that Archie’s the main character in the misnomered Nero Wolfe Mysteries.

In reading about Rex Stout/Nero Wolfe (either by fans or professionals) there’s an oft-quoted line from Walter D. Edmonds that you simply cannot avoid seeing, “I shall never forget my excitement on reading Fer-de-Lance, sprung like Athena perfect form the Jovian brow, fresh and new and at the same time with enough plain familiar things in scene and setting to put any reader at his ease.” Aside from Oliver Wendell Holmes’ margin note (“This fellow is the best of them all.”), there’s nothing that sums up Fer-de-Lance better, sprung like Athena indeed.

It really doesn’t matter how many times you’ve read it, but upon re-reading (and probably even initial reading if this isn’t your first encounter with Wolfe and Archie—my initial read was more than 20 years ago, so I don’t remember) you can’t help be struck by how much Fer-de-Lance fits the model of a mature Wolfe novel—almost all the elements are there. These characters are introduced in practically their final format—a little tweak here and there over the course of the first few novels (off the top of my head I can’t say how many) will get them in their final form, plus the addition of a few other characters will be necessary, but the cast of characters is already over 90% complete. In the first chapter, we already have Wolfe, Archie, Fritz, Theodore, Fred, and Saul presented in a manner fully recognizable to the familiar reader. The story follows a fairly typical route (though the identity of the murderer is revealed far earlier than is the norm), and the essential environmental elements are there—the beer, Wolfe’s eccentric schedule, the orchids, a relapse, the food, a cocky scheme to land a client, an outrageous stratagem for getting that last essential piece of evidence (not that Wolfe needs it to solve the crime, merely to prove he was correct)—the only thing missing is the gathering of the witnesses/suspects/clients for Wolfe to reveal everything in his characteristically dramatic fashion. One recurring thought I had while reading it this time was that this could just as easily have been the fifteenth installment in the series as the first.

As I don’t recall reading about Stout consulting notes—and he’s known not to rewrite any part of these stories—the fact that he can keep all the idiosyncrasies he establishes here well-intact over the next 40 years is a testimony to his mental prowess as much as anything else could be. (Contrast Stout to contemporary authors who find themselves re-writing their own protagonist’s biographies thanks to their refusal to check their facts/fix errors).

Enough of that—what about the book itself? Wolfe takes a small case as more of a favor/indulgence/get-him-off-my-back to one of his operatives and in doing so, stumbles upon a fact or two that leads him to conclude that a university president has been murdered in a preposterous manner. Seeing (and seizing) the opportunity to earn a large fee from this, Wolfe sends Archie to place a $10,000 bet with the District Attorney responsible for the area the president died in—wagering that an exhumation of the body will produce two particular evidences of homicide. No bet is made, but since it’s Nero Wolfe suggesting it, the body’s dug up, the evidence found and we’re off…

A fun read, a decent mystery (Stout will get better at this), great characters, and a good introduction to a wonderful world fit for revisiting over and over again.

Heart of Fire by Raina Nightingale: A Mixed Bag with Cool Dragons, Some Good Characters, and a Lot of Promise

By HCNewton

On September 30, 2024

In Uncategorized

Heart of Fire

by Raina Nightingale

DETAILS:
Series: Dragon-Mage, Book One
Publication Date: April 16, 2023
Format: eBook
Length: 278 pg.
Read Date: August 12-14, 2024

What’s Heart of Fire About?

I can’t quite talk about the story of the book without saying something I shouldn’t, so, I’ll let Nightingale describe it:

Camilla has always been told that humans are inferior. They cannot use magic. If they bond to dragons, they will doom the creatures to extinction. She has never believed a word of it. She has always known that she can use magic, and she suspects it is the elves who harm the dragons by keeping them to themselves. Now, she is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: a dragon’s clutch is hatching and while she will earn the wrath of her captors if she is caught, she has the chance to see a dragon hatch and perhaps even to Recognize.

Kario’s people have feared dragons since time immemorial. When an unrealistically huge black dragon flies in while she is hunting, she is certain she will die. Instead, her life is changed when Nelexi, Obsidian Guardian of Areaer, chooses her as her final rider. Kario takes the name Flameheart, but she is soon homesick and afraid that she is insufficient to be the partner of a god.

The Good

First off, the dragons are cool. You give me cool dragons and I’m going to let you get away with a lot.

I think this world is fantastic. I love the relationships between dragons and riders—the bonds between them, and how they communicate with one another. I like a lot of the suggested ways that dragons and riders change and evolve over time.

I think the geo-political and racial relationships are intriguing—and how people on different continents relate to dragons (and many other creatures, likely). The elven-human dynamic is something I really want to see developed.

I think Kario is a fasctinating character and I relished the bits of time we got with her and Nelexi—I wanted more.

The Bad

I don’t think that Nightingale brought everything in her mind onto the page. She clearly has a lot of this world worked out in details that there’s no way to communicate. Every author has those—that’s not what I’m talking about. But in the Preface, she talks about having two of the characters in her mind since childhood—she knows them well, she understands their story in a way that many authors would likely envy. But—this is just a guess—I think she knows the story so well that I don’t think she realized she didn’t give her readers all the details we needed to follow.

I stopped writing things like “so, I missed something?” or “how did we get here?” after a bit. I just couldn’t follow good chunks of both storylines—but Camillla’s more than Kario’s.

Although—and this gets us on to the other “Bad” topic—I’m okay with not following Camilla’s because I just couldn’t like her. She was petulant, self-centered, egotistical, and short-sighted. All these are things that can be grown out of, and I’m not suggesting protagonists have to be likable. But I didn’t want to spend time in her head—it’s just a nasty place. Her dragon, Radiance, was fine. Her brother seemed okay—as did the other dragon rider with them (I’m going to leave names out because it feels like something you need to learn as you read)—although there’s room for some personal growth there, although I think that character has made the right kind of strides on that front so you can root for them.

But Camilla? I really hope in the next book in the series, she’s grown up a lot.

So, what did I think about Heart of Fire?

Nightingale swung for the fences with this one, you can practically see the effort on the page as you read. But I think she missed too many of the pitches she took, and foul-tipped pretty frequently when she made contact. But she got on-base enough to stay in the game, and even to chalk up a win. That’s the end of the baseball metaphors, I promise.

There’s so much promise in this book—and enough delivery on them to come back for the second volume. But not enough to be enthusiastic about it. I do want to know what happens, and I think most who read this will share in that.

Also, cool dragons. Can’t overlook that.

The parts of the book that worked—worked pretty well, and made me want to keep going. Still, I can only give this the most lukewarm of recommendations—I know I’m in the minority when it comes to this book—go read what others had to say about it.

3 Stars

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He’s Back, Baby

By HCNewton

On September 6, 2024

In Uncategorized

My heart was gladdened today when i saw the news from Fahrenheit Press–there’s a new Russell Day book on the horizon. Details will be coming out next week, it sounds like, but to celebrate it they’re giving 10% off of every Russell Day book they’ve published to date. These books are some of the best that I’ve written about on this space–you’d be smart to take advantage of this sale. (honestly, I own them all–one in two editions–and I’m thinking of it, just for the new covers on a couple of them).

What better reason to share these posts again?

Read these and then go share Day and FP some love, okay?

bullet Needle Song—Doc Slidesmith, tattoo shop owner, former psychologist, current Voodoo practitioner and Tarot reader, is also a Miss Marple on a motorcycle. Together with his apprentice, Yakky, try to solve a murder. (Buy from Fahrenheit Press)
bullet Ink to Ashes—Slidesmith and Yakky look into the death of an old friend, throwing them into the deep end of tensions between motorcycle clubs. (Buy from Fahrenheit Press)
bullet The King of the Crows—an eerily prescient book about a global pandemic (that basically turns many of the infected into zombies). It’s also a crime novel. (Buy from Fahrenheit Press)
bullet The Perception of Dolls by Anthony Croix—a pseudo-documentary book about an investigation into a supposed haunted house. Which isn’t the best description, but you do better in a sentence, I dare you. (Buy from Fahrenheit Press)

I also have a couple of other Day-related posts, feel free to check those out. And Fahrenheit Press has some nifty The King of the Crows tees so you look cool as cool as the books are.

Now That’s How you Start a Review…

By HCNewton

On August 11, 2024

In Uncategorized

One of the books that I’m working my way through this year is Redemptive History & Biblical Interpretation: The Shorter Writings of Geerhardus Vos, edited by Richard B. Gaffin, Jr. I’m in the homestretch now, with a handful of Book Reviews published in The Princeton Theological Review (among others).

The review I read today was of the book Jesus and the Gospel: Christianity Justified in the Mind of Christ by James Denney, D.D. It was published in 1909, and is likely not that easy to find a copy of now. But after reading this first paragraph from Vos, you might not want to:

Dr. Denney’s latest book puts us under the strange necessity of heartily praising its contents and at the same time deploring most deeply the main purpose for which it was written. We confess to having seldom read a book productive of such a sudden and painful revulsion of feeling, from a sympathetic and enthusiastically admiring state of mind to one of sharp protest and radical dissent, as the work before us. Dr. Denney’s style and manner of presentation are so brilliant and yet so warm and genial, he carries us along so easily, so absolutely compels our belief in the irrefutableness of his argument, that, when he proceeds to make the disagreeable application, we find it more than ordinarily difficult to arrest the momentum of conviction acquired and turn our minds all at once in the opposite direction. The sense of disillusionment at the close is so poignant that it inevitably gives rise to the question, whether perhaps the profound agreement in which we imagined ourselves to be with the writer was not after all a delusion, arising from a misinterpretation on our part of the real drift of the discussion, so that, if we had only read more carefully and between the lines, we would have disagreed from the beginning. Whether the case lies actually as just stated or whether it is a simple instance of non sequitur between approved premises and a false conclusion, we find it extremely difficult to decide.

The review goes on for another 6 pages (in this edition, anyway). Pound for pound, I’ve never been able to convey so much in any post about a book as Vos does there. The following pages are just icing on the cake (he has a lot of great things to say about the book—it’s the rest of it that Denney might not have appreciated)