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 Great Christ Comet
The Great Christ Comet Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem by Colin R. Nicholl In the splendid book, The Great Christ Comet - Revealing the True Star of Bethlehem (Crossway, 2015) we are provided with a comprehensive look at one of the most beautiful and iconic...
Jesus: A Theography
Jesus: A Theography by Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola I think it is only right to warn you not to read this book before going to bed – here’s why: I was very happy to receive my copy of Jesus A Theography (2012 -- Thomas Nelson) via the mail. I had pre-ordered it...
Where Jesus Prayed
Where Jesus Prayed Illuminating the Lord's Prayer In The Holy Land by Danielle Shroyer "Being there matters." By that I mean, there is a vast difference between reading or hearing about a person, place or thing and actually being on location to experience them. Most...
Jesus Asked
Jesus Asked: What He Wanted to Know by Conrad Gempf In the year 2000 at a conference in Grand Rapids, MI, Ray Vander Laan, chair of biblical cultural studies and a religion instructor at Holland Christian Schools in Holland, Michigan, said something like this, "Many...
Goodness and Light
Goodness and Light Readings for Advent and Christmas This year, November 29th is the first Sunday of Advent. Do you re-adjust your daily rhythms to make room for Advent? For many years I ignored Advent – the season in the Christian church that is intended...
The Boy on the Wooden Box
The Boy on the Wooden Box How the Impossible Became Possible...on Schindler's List A Memoir by Leon Leyson What is the power of one? What can one human being do to "stand up to evil and make a difference"? Leon Leyson gives us his answer to that question in The Boy on...
The Jesus Cow
The Jesus Cow A Novel by Michael Perry Slip on your barn boots and get ready for a farmland tale that poses heartfelt questions about faith, love, and filial duty. The Jesus Cow (2015) published by HarperCollins, is a comical mash-up of life styles, pitting the laid...
Ordinary Grace
Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger Ordinary grace - what does that mean? Do experiences of grace range from less-than-ordinary through extra-ordinary degrees? For author William Kent Krueger, Ordinary Grace is a novel, a captivating chronicle that includes a...
Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness
Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas Last week The Open Table featured a review of Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness. Because that book was so enjoyable and memorable, this week's review is of the first book that Eric Metaxas wrote...
Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness
Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness by Eric Metaxas "They turned the world upside down" is the phrase that came to mind as I read Eric Metaxas' book Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness. Seven Women (2015) by Nelson Books is a luminous and...