A critical skill for Christian maturity is discerning between the “good” (those tasks that need to be done, but that are not necessarily tasks to which God is calling or equipping me or my group to do) and the “better/best” (those tasks that God is particular calling and equipping me or my group to do). Read more

As I work my way through "The Artist's Rule," I realize that what I am finding meaningful at this moment, is not what the author has written but somehow the vibes of how it is written. The book is engaging in a roomy way. Read more

Situated among peers who have more or look better, we cannot fail to compare and to brood over the differences. But this comparing, as Matthew Levering points out in his The Betrayal of Charity: The Sins that Sabotage Divine Love, need not destroy us. There is a treatment. Read more

"What I love most about Sweet Sanctuary is the truth that our true Sanctuary is found in God." Author Tricia Goyer reflects on the new book by Sheila Walsh, Sweet Sanctuary. Read more

While some young Americans choose to invest their increased education on improving their video game scores rather than a career in politics or law, the bottom line is that today’s young people are smarter than at any point in American History. The same trend is taking place globally at varying levels, which has profound implications. Read more

[Editor’s Note: This post by David Cloutier from the blog Catholic Moral Theology, is part of a roundtable hosted by the Patheos Book Club on the new book The Betrayal of Charity, by Matthew Levering.] St. John tells us that “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear” (1 Jn 4:18). One of the striking aspects of the recent tragedy in Norway has been the consistent refusal of its citizens to succumb to fear and compromise the... Read more

"Assuming that everything’s lousy and getting worse can make us feel hopeless, that there’s no point in trying to improve things. In contrast, understanding that the world has improved in many ways, and thinking critically about what remains to be done, are more likely to foster progress." Fellow sociologist Joel Best on Brad Wright's new book, "Upside: Surprising Good News About The State of the World." Read more

Scot McKnight critiques Tim Challies' recent review of David Platt's new book "Radical Together: Unleashing the People of God for the Purpose of God." Read more

Where David Platt's book "Radical" focused on changing the way we think about our lives as Christians, "Radical Together" focuses on changing the way we “do church.” I have often suspected that many of our churches aren’t the strongholds of the Gospel that they could be, but instead are mere country clubs with bad golf courses. Mr. Platt’s new book confirms that in spades and suggests a model that is not only more effective but is also more consistent with the Gospel itself. Read more

"Radical togetherness: I’m sure many people are way, way better at whatever that means than I am. But in the midst of this world, in the midst of a day like today, maybe it’s less about trying to be radical than just trying to stay alive and faithful and loving and human in the midst of all this." Kent Annan of Haiti Partners reflects on David Platt's new book "Radical Together." Read more