The Open Table – Book Reviews
Jesus was known –some would say notoriously so—for His “open table” eating style. In the Gospels, Jesus loved to share life at the table with others and never refused an offer to eat with someone. Most of Jesus’ great discussions with His disciples and others happened around the table. In honor of that model, The Open Table is a forum where all are welcome to join in the conversation about the books suggested and more. It’s a place where book reviews will be served up, but also where other thoughts, observations, and life happenings can be discussed and ideas savored. Your participation is encouraged. All contributions will be valued and nourished. Good manners are expected of course at The Table. Welcome to The Open Table. I hope we can meet here often. Great times are ahead! –thyrkas
The Fragrance of God
The Fragrance of God by Vigen Guroian --Review by Teri Hyrkas It is summer here in the US and to a gardener the quintessential image of summer is a flower garden gloriously in bloom, or a vegetable plot fully leafed out and setting fruit. For Vigen Guroian, author of...
Blue Collar Resistance and the Politics of Jesus
Tex Sample, Blue Collar Resistance and the Politics of Jesus: Doing Ministry with Working Class Whites --Review by Landrum Leavell III Sample’s book is a fascinating study of the practices of social inequality as it pertains to church ministry. The first...
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman, featuring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Robin Wright Rated PG-13 --Review by Ashley Linne While it isn’t a perfect movie, Wonder Woman is officially my favorite superhero movie of all time. And for me, that’s saying a lot. There are many extremely important...
Lincoln in the Bardo
Lincoln in the Bardo George Saunders --Review by Paula Jones In the long history of literature, very few books can claim to be at-one-and-the-same-time non-fiction, fiction, biography, history, fantasy, philosophy, horror, humor, play, and legend, but Lincoln in the...
Towards Mellbreak
Towards Mellbreak a novel by Marie-Elsa Bragg --Review by Teri Hyrkas Marie-Elsa Bragg has written a debut novel that is so splendidly textured that it may appear to the reader like a grand piece of conceptual art. The framework of the story is the multi-generational...
The Leadership Labyrinth
The Leadership Labyrinth: Negotiating the Paradoxes of Ministry Author – Judson Edwards ISBN: 1-57312-441-9 --Review by Douglas Balzer Personally, the inclusion of labyrinth in the title of this book appealed to me. A labyrinth is known to be an intricate...
Godspeed
Godspeed, documentary featuring Matt Canlis, Eugene Peterson, and N.T. Wright Not rated --Review by Ashley Linne Godspeed is a short documentary that quietly and beautifully shifts the paradigm of church. Set in Scotland, it follows Matt, a pastor, and his story of...
The View from the Cheap Seats
The View from the Cheap Seats By Neil Gaiman --Review by Paula Jones Neil Gaiman’s writing can be a lot like coffee. You have to develop a taste for both, but in doing so, both will eventually grow into a craving. When first introduced to his work, I was only mildly...
The Benedict Option
The Benedict Option A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation by Rod Dreher --Review by Teri Hyrkas The Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation (Penguin Random House, 2017) by Rod Dreher has become a New York Times best seller,...
Katharina and Martin
Katharina and Martin: The Radical Marriage of a Runaway Nun and a Renegade Monk by Michelle DeRusha --Review by Teri Hyrkas This year will mark the 500th Anniversary of the start of the Protestant Reformation, begun by Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Germany on October...