It is far past due (once again) – but here’s a rundown of the 5 books I read in April. This brings my 2024 total to 27 books. Happy reading!
(I must always clarify that I read many books with which I disagree. I learn the most by reading things that do not represent my position.)
Death on a Friday Afternoon: Meditations on the Last Words of Jesus from the Cross by Richard John Neuhaus
I’m not particularly a fan of books, or sermon series, which look at the last words of Jesus. Such books and series require compiling statements across the four gospels. I’d prefer to allow each gospel to stand on its own. Neuhaus provides meandering reflections upon scenes from the crucifixion. I don’t see the lack of structure as a fault. I’ll keep it in a stack of books as Easter resources.
Broken Music by Sting
This one vacillates between poetic and crude. Yet, there’s an abundance of the poetic. I’m a sucker for a good music biography. And this is a good one. I’ll put it on the shelf next to Bono and Paul McCartney.
The Wood Between the Worlds: A Poetic Theology of the Cross by Brian Zhand
This one is nearly impossible to categorize. I picked it up because I heard Zahnd on a podcast in which he gave the impression that this book was the result of him touring European alter paintings depicting the crucifixion. That’s in there… sort of.
You get more of this: “The meaning of the cross is not singular, but kaleidoscopic. Each turn of a kaleidoscope reveals a new geometric image. This is how we must approach our interpretation of the cross—through the eyepiece of a theological kaleidoscope. That the word kaleidoscope is a Greek word meaning “beautiful form” makes this all the more apropos. I believe it is safe to assume there are an infinite number of ways of viewing the cross of Christ as the beautiful form that saves the world. In this book I seek to share some of the beautiful forms I see as I gaze upon the cross through my theological kaleidoscope.”
Criswell: His Life and Times by OS Hawkins
Hawkins seems to be on a mission to write, or perhaps rewrite, the history of First Baptist Dallas. He previously penned a volume that told the story of J. Frank Norris and George W. Truett (pastor of FBC Dallas prior to Criswell). To the surprise of many, Criswell gave the white hat to Norris. Hawkins gets close to hagiography in this volume but tarnishes Criswell’s shine a bit with quotes from Joel Gregory’s memoir, Too Great A Temptation.
God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah Payne
Payne traces the history and trajectory of CCM in America. Along the way she demonstrates how the industry and its artists impact evangelical culture. She takes readers on a few detours with an overemphasis at times on purity culture and politics.
Jeff Gravens 