Book Reviews:
Created by God:
Pastoral Care for All God’s People 
by Peggy Way; Chalice Press, 2005; ISBN: 0827204973.
“Inviting theological conversations about care” is Dr. Way;s opening statement as she seeks to restore the notion of care to all those who follow Christ. For those who don’t know how to have the myriad of difficult conversations to invite, let alone facilitate, this book is a gift. Issues of finitude, limitation, crisis, evil, ethical discernment about care, public discourse, joy and goodness of God, play, peace and persistence are topics not only of reflection but also written with helpful “handles” to continue the conversations among God’s creatures. A formative resource for those struggling with individualism’s effect on relational and power distortions.
Hearing Beyond the Words:
How to Become a Listening Pastor
by Rev. Dr. Emma J. Justes; Abingdon Press, 2006; ISBN: 0687494990.
The only change to make to this book would be altering the title from Pastor to Minister -- as in everyone called by God. An exceptionally accessible, helpful, instructive, and thoughtful contribution for all who seek to listen, respect and respond to ourselves and others. Highly recommended for those who are engaged in peer counseling (Stephen Ministries, Befrienders, etc) ministries and those working in the taxing area of sexual ethics. Individual and group activities companion the reader for honest reflection.
Ten Commandments:
Laws of the Heart
by Joan Chittister; Orbis Books, 2006; ISBN: 1570756848.
Looking for a renewing “heart to heart” with the Ten Commandments? Look no further as Sister Chittister has dusted off the “tablets” and brought us into an engaging reflection on their meaning and relevance to today’s challenges. Perfect resource for a preaching series, personal devotion or study groups.
Courageous Spirit:
Voices from Women in Ministry
edited by Pamela Hawkins, Marion Jackson & Susan Ruach; Upper Room Books, 2005; ISBN: 0835898954.
Liturgies, prayers, stories and other celebrations by United Methodist clergywomen shared to mark the 50th anniversary of women receiving full clergy rights. “Stunning, beautiful, lyrical, deep. Glimpses of vulnerable souls’ faith and struggle. Bread and drink for desert and for dining room.” – Bishop Judith Craig
ENGAGING THE BIBLE IN A GENDERED WORLD
Edited by Linda Day and Carolyn Pressler
Westminster/John Knox Press; 2006. ISBN: 0664229107
Honoring the legacy of Professor Katharine Doob Sakenfeld (William Albright Eisenberger Professor of Old Testament, Princeton Theological Seminary), this collection of widely respected scholars introduces – and refreshes – the methods, issues, and theoretical frameworks central to feminist biblical interpretation. An accessible book; covering history, achievements, along with prodding questions in the area of gender and biblical scholarship, including violence and the Bible, female biblical God imagery, and sexuality.
PREACHING THE WOMEN OF THE BIBLE
By Lisa Wilson Davison
Chalice Press; 2006. ISBN: 0827229909
A book for preachers and for bible study groups seeking to inform and enrich their knowledge in the importance of contextualization, affecting both interpretation and communication (not just in preaching) of these often overlooked texts stories. The thirteen chapters can easily allow a quarterly, semi-monthly or year’s study for adult study groups.
THOUGH THE FIG TREE DOES NOT BLOSSOM: Toward a Responsible Theology of Christian Hope
By Ellen Ott Marshall
Abingdon Press; 2006. ISBN: 0687464803
Tired of “wishful thinking theology” leaving you empty and adrift in the faces and feelings of “Where is God?” hopelessness? Looking for something to nourish and grow hope in your faith life? Listen to an introductory portion of Ellen Ott Marshall’s helpful, wise and compassion-generating exploration of hope: [Hope]”...is a disposition that remains accountable to promise and peril. It unearths beauty and faces tragedy. It celebrates goodness and knows cruelty. It buoys the spirit and steels the spine. This disposition is not a balanced arrangement of these elements, but rather a dynamic and difficult practice of hold them in tension, of being accountable to the resiliency and the fragility of life. Such practice is a spiritual formation and an ethical endeavor because it affects character formation and shapes our engagement in the world.” p xiv A great resource for an Advent or Lenten study!