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
Three Identical Strangers
Three Identical Strangers: A Documentary Winner, Special Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival, 2018 --Review by Teri Hyrkas The advertisement for Three Identical Strangers had so many superlatives surrounding the film's title that my suspicions were aroused. How could...
24/6
“24/6” by Matthew Sleeth, M.D. --Review by Judge Jesse Caldwell When I bought Matthew Sleeth’s book “24/6”, I am not sure what angle I thought he would employ as he argued his case for us to more faithfully observe the Sabbath day of the week. But I never...
Come Sunday
Come Sunday, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Condola Rashad, Jason Segel, and Martin Sheen Rated TV-14; available on Netflix Review by Ashley Davis Come Sunday recounts the true story of evangelist Carlton Pearson, an Oral-Roberts-trained preacher turned Unitarian...
Reframing the Soul
Reframing the Soul: How Words Transform Our Faith Gregory Spencer Leafwood Publishers, 2018 --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, ThD. As I look back each year at the list of books I consume, there are usually several volumes dealing with the...
The Perfect Horse
The Perfect Horse: The Daring U.S. Mission to Rescue the Priceless Stallions Kidnapped by the Nazis by Elizabeth Letts --Review by Teri Hyrkas More than seventy years after the end of the conflict, the events of World War II continue to be important to readers today....
Mastery
Mastery by Robert Greene ISBN: 9780670024964 HC ISBN: 9780143124177 PBK --Review by Doug Balzer Recently, in my search for books, I came across Robert Greene and his writings. I wanted to share this particular book with you, why, it resonated with me. It describes the...
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Rated PG-13 --Review by Ashley Linne We’ve forgotten that in this fractured society, we really are all each other’s neighbor. Today’s world is full of narcissism at both individual and organizational levels. Kindness and empathy are confused...
The Gospel Comes with a House Key
The Gospel Comes With a House Key: Practicing Radically Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World By Rosaria Butterfield --Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, ThD. Oh my, where to start. This was one of the most layered books I’ve read in a long time....
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music? Larry Norman and the Perils of Christian Rock by Gregory Alan Thornbury --Review by Teri Hyrkas Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music is quite a title for a book. Are you shocked or even offended by it? Would it...
Paterson
Paterson A Movie Review --Review by Teri Hyrkas I love summer, but it does get wild and crazy at times. Is your psyche suffering sunstroke from summer activities? Let me suggest a remedy: the movie Paterson. Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch, this singularly...