Book Review: Rich in Years: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Long Life By Johann Christoph Arnold Edith Imhoff passed through life known by almost no one. I was one of the fortunate exceptions. During the Jesus Movement of the late sixties, she lived in the county seat town where I went to college. Before moving there, she’s spent thirty years or so in India as a Christian missionary. With that behind her, she started a bookstore on her sun... Read more
“I cannot imagine a Christian whose Christianity would not be greatly enhanced by deepening his or her knowledge of the historical Jesus, the Jewish Jesus and about the religion of Judaism …. Simultaneously, it seems to be the right time for Jews to reclaim Jesus as an authentic Jewish teacher and native son.” — Rabbi David Zaslow, from Jesus: First- Century Rabbi There have been a number of books written about the historical Jesus from a Christian perspective, but considerably... Read more
Ever since the 9/11 attacks and the Boston Marathon bombing, informed and conscientious Muslims have been shouting out “we are not all terrorists!” and searching for a way to effectively counter the extremists in the name of the traditional shari’ah (the religious and moral code of Islam). In a compelling new book, The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World, author John Andrew Morrow brings to light newly-rediscovered documents that record Muhammad’s actual words confirming the rulings of the... Read more
Johann Christoph Arnold is an award-winning author with over a million copies of his books in print in more than 20 languages. A noted speaker and writer on marriage, parenting, and end-of-life issues, Arnold is a senior pastor of the Bruderhof, a movement of Christian communities. With his wife, Verena, he has counseled thousands of individuals and families over the last forty years. His new book, Rich in Years: Finding Peace and Purpose in a Long Life, is a featured Patheos Book Club... Read more
As we enter the twilight of our lives, my wife and I have often asked ourselves what is really important. Again and again, we have come to feel that it is to prepare, as best we can, for the moment when God calls us, and to help others when they face death; to stand at their side and help them to cross the bridge from this place to the next. Read more
By Susan Vogt Author of Blessed by Less: Clearing Your Life of Clutter By Living Lightly For the past several years I’ve spent a lot of effort trying to let go of stuff — to live more lightly. This has included pruning my possessions, my time, and my mind of unnecessary clutter. As my efforts to curb consumerism in my daily life increased, I became aware of how much I already had — and I am grateful for that. An unintended... Read more
Mostly I try to ask questions and shut my mouth and listen and stories come flooding in too many to tell. Everything’s eucharist if you look at it right, seems to me. There’s holy food everywhere. — Brian Doyle This month at the Patheos Book Club, we’re featuring The Thorny Grace of It and Other Essays for Imperfect Catholics, by award-winning essayist Brian Doyle. And while Catholics – imperfect and otherwise – will surely adore Doyle’s startling insightful, humorous and profound musings... Read more
In your average Coldstone ice cream shop, you have your pedestrian tastes (strawberry and chocolate) and some esoteric ones (tastefully outside the box). N.D. Wilson, author of the new book, Death By Living, is on the faculty of an interesting educational venture out in Idaho called New St. Andrews College. He writes fantasy fiction for children, stream of consciousness things (like this) to help adults chew thoughtfully in different ways on big questions that demand God as an answer. He... Read more
By Lisa Rieck I signed the “True Love Waits” card as a teenager. I wrote a letter to my future spouse explaining why I’d saved myself for him. I wore a purity ring in high school and college. I was committed to sexual purity. Now, at thirty-three and single, I still am. Which is why, in my adult dating relationships, I’ve set strong physical boundaries and clearly communicated my commitments up-front. I like to think that, should I get engaged... Read more
If the Beatles had sung their song “Imagine” with Thanksgiving in mind, it might have started like this: Imagine there’s no turkey… Forget the stuffing too… No pie or cranberries… Just some eel and a turnip or two… Robert Tracy McKenzie, in The First Thanksgiving, hacks away much of the sentimental overgrowth of Thanksgiving. He’s not a revisionist who delights in saying that everything that we want to believe isn’t true. (I will not use the word “revisionist” again. McKenzie not... Read more
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