Relational Holiness: Responding to the Call of Love

The authors embark on the bold assertion that love is "the core notion of holiness", the sum of all theological, philosophical, historical, practical, and ultimately Biblical expressions of holiness. In his book "The Theology of John Wesley," Kenneth Collins says that the deficiency of Oord and Lodahl's position is that holiness is not on equal par with love. I do believe however that Oord and Lodahl are on track with giving us a glimpse of what a postmodern holiness theology can look like, as well as grounding holiness in the concept of love, specifically, relational love. I did feel the book was far too simplistic for what they were trying to accomplish. Realizing that the book was not intended to be scholarly by any means, it still easily could have been three times longer so as to better assist the adventurer/traveler (their motif) where the authors wanted to take us. I look forward to more from this dynamic duo.
(4 of 5 stars)

The 10 Dumbest Things Christians Do

With wit, humor, candor, and insight, Mark Atteberry has written a straightforward book that needs to be read by many “Christians.” This is an extremely readable book that touches on many of the ways Christians today sling mud on the Church, the Bride of Christ. I just so happen to see a bumper sticker today that read, “Jesus called, He wants His religion back.” And I think the message of this book will be a wake up call to those who do dumb and harmful things in the name of Christianity.

(4 of 5 stars)

Outward Sign and Inward Grace: The Place of Sacraments in Wesleyan Spirituality

Dr. Staples was a theology professor of mine while I was at Nazarene Theological Seminary in Kansas City in the 1990's. He is an exceptional theologian and I was always fully engaged sitting in his classes. I went back and thoroughly read this book in preparation for a couple of sermons I was preparing on baptism and the Lord's Supper. It's amazing how he brings together major theological themes in informing a Wesleyan sacramental theology. For Christians who are not concerned about the environment and dismiss ecology as irrelevant to our faith, this book should inform you. Rich in Biblical exposition and theology, and at times very preachable, every chapter is riviting.
(5 of 5 stars)